Edict Claims Intimidation Over Call To Probe Alleged Cops Inaction

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Police have summoned rights group Eliminating Deaths and Abuse In Custody Together (Edict) over its recent statement calling for actions against two police personnel who allegedly witnessed an assault incident that led to the death of a man in Ipoh, Perak, two weeks ago.
In a press statement, Edict decried what it described as a form of intimidation, and that police should cease probing public criticisms of the force.
When contacted, Edict executive director Khalid Mohd Ismath (above) said three police personnel from Ipoh district police station had earlier today gone to an office in Petaling Jaya where the group shared an address belonging to a migrant rights group.
"I wasn't there but they came around 10.30am. I think they wanted to take our laptops and phones.
"Edict doesn't actually have a physical office of our own. We work remotely but share the other group's address," he told Malaysiakini.
Khalid said the police personnel were informed by an office administrator that there was nobody from Edict at the premises and they left after taking several photographs.
Taking to Twitter, Edict chairperson M Visvanathan earlier claimed police had raided Edict's office, implying the move was unnecessary and could be resolved with a phone call.
Khalid further said he eventually managed to contact the investigating officer in charge and was informed Edict had been summoned in connection with its press statement on Nov 26, accusing two police personnel of failing in their duties to prevent an incident where a man had allegedly choked another man to death in broad daylight.
The statement was issued based on a viral video of the alleged incident.
"The police said our statement had 16,000 readers. I was shocked. That never happened before.
"Actually Edict received a letter from the police two weeks ago but we were only served the 111 notice today," Khalid said, adding they would be present at Pantai police station, Kuala Lumpur, this Wednesday.
According to the notice sighted by Malaysiakini, Ipoh police received a report on the statement on Nov 26 - the same day it was released - and the case is being probed under Section 505(b) for statements conducive to public mischief, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. - Mkini

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