KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — The police have detained three individuals suspected of being involved in a protest that disrupted a public event attended by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki yesterday.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the three were arrested following the incident and have been remanded for three days from today to assist in investigations.
He added that more than two police reports have been lodged so far.
“We have opened investigation papers for offences involving obstruction of a public servant, incitement and trespass.
“The arrests were made to enable us to complete investigations, particularly to determine elements of the offences, including whether their actions had obstructed public servants from carrying out their duties,” Fadil said during a media conference at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters today.
The investigations are being expedited and have not ruled out further action once they are completed.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Corruption Watch president Jais Abdul Karim described the actions of a group of individuals who disrupted Azam’s speech as going beyond the bounds of freedom of speech.
He said that in a country that upholds democratic principles, freedom of speech must be respected, but it must not be misused to cause provocation or disturb public order.
“Raising placards and causing disruption during an official programme is not a form of mature advocacy; instead, it reflects a failure to understand the boundary between freedom and responsibility.
“Malaysia is a constitutional country that provides legitimate channels to express views through official reports, open forums or legal processes,” Jais said in a statement today.
Yesterday, it was reported that the calm atmosphere at the Wacana Ilmiah Perdana in Dewan Tun Dr Ismail of the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur turned chaotic when a group staged a sudden protest.
In the 2.40pm incident, two men were seen holding up placards bearing the words 'Tangkap Azam Baki' and 'Azam Baki Simbol Reformati' while the keynote address was in progress.
