KUALA LUMPUR – Former Batu MP Tian Chua, who was involved in the Kepung Demi Palestin rally, near the United States Embassy last week, was summoned to the Wangsa Maju police station today to have his statement recorded.
Clad in a light-coloured shirt and dark pants, he arrived at the police station at 10.30am and spent about an hour talking to the authorities.
Wangsa Maju police chief Superintendent Ashari Abu Samah also confirmed that along with Tian Chua, 12 other people were also called in to have their statements recorded.
Tian Chua said that they all gave their full cooperation on questions regarding the protest.
“Most of us were present this morning except for three people who are currently outstation. We have given full cooperation to police investigations into the picket.
“The questioning went smoothly, and we believe the Kepung Demi Palestine picket was carried out in accordance with our rights under the federal constitution. The picket was also conducted in an orderly manner under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
“If there is any further investigation, we are ready to cooperate,” he told reporters today.
He stressed again that the protesters didn’t violate any laws.
“Everything we did was in accordance with the country’s laws.
“The police, however, are now investigating if there are any violations of the laws. It is too soon to say anything,” he added.
Others called in for questioning include MCA deputy youth chief Mike Chong Yew Chuan, Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, and lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Youth chief Mohd Hasbie Muda, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rakyat Sejagat Malaysia president Syed Sheikh Al-Attas Syed Hassan, and social activist Hishamuddin Rais were also present.
It was reported that the police have initiated an investigation under the Peaceful Assembly Act of 2012 for organising an event without a permit.
The Kepung Demi Palestin gathering near the US embassy was aimed at ‘surrounding’ the premises, symbolic of the blockade on Gaza, and was to demand an end to the killings of Palestinians as well as an immediate ceasefire.
It involved 48 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), comprising community organisations, youth and student associations, as well as political groups from various sectors.
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim), Viva Palestina Malaysia, Al-Quds Malaysia Foundation, Suara Rakyat Malaysia, and the Malaysian Women’s Coalition for Al-Quds and Palestine were among the NGOs that participated in the piket. – January 5,2024