Turun Anwar Rally Police Nab Chegubard For Sedition Probe

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Bersatu division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin was arrested by police this afternoon, according to his legal counsel, allegedly over Saturday’s “Turun Anwar” rally in Kuala Lumpur.
Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali said the activist, better known as Chegubard, was picked up at his house at about 2.30pm.
Rafique condemned the arrest, claiming that it was unnecessary as Badrul had already set an appointment to meet the police investigator in charge of his case at Bukit Aman tomorrow (Tuesday).
“Yesterday, we received confirmation that a police report had been lodged against Badrul in relation to ‘Himpunan Turun Anwar’ on Saturday.
ADS“The investigation paper was opened over alleged offences under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act (insulting behaviour), Section 504 of the Penal Code (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace), Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA), and Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act.
“An appointment has already been set between the investigating officer and Badrul for 11am on Tuesday.
“The arrest in this case was uncalled for as Badrul had given his assurance that he would be present at Bukit Aman,” the lawyer said in a statement.
Rafique Rashid AliSection 233 of CMA refers to offences related to abuse of network facilities, while Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act punishes the utterance of seditious words.
Malaysiakini has contacted the federal police headquarters for comments and further details.
Badrul was among the protest leaders at Saturday’s anti-government rally at Dataran Merdeka, which called for the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
‘Reformasi no more’
Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham, in a separate statement, criticised the police for utilising “draconian laws” against Badrul.
Bersatu Youth chief Hilman IdhamHe said laws like the Sedition Act were among those that Pakatan Harapan had promised to repeal under its “reformasi” agenda.
Using the provisions against Badrul was evidence that Anwar had failed to uphold their reform promises, Hilman said.
“Thus, Bersatu Youth urges the prime minister to resign immediately without hiding behind these draconian laws,” he said. - FMT

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