#KitaLawan: Tian Chua to record statement after 'midnight arrest' proves futile

PKR vice-president Tian Chua has been summoned by police to record his statement over the recent anti-government #KitaLawan rallies following what seemed a ‘foiled’ attempt to arrest him at his residence just before midnight on Thursday.

The Batu MP is expected to appear at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 11am, here today.

Chua’s supposed midnight detention was foiled Subang MP and lawyer, R. Sivarasa who questioned the grounds for the midnight arrest and put forward several arguments with the police officers.

Police in front of my house, @SivarasaRasiah argues & asks for the ground of midnight arrest. pic.twitter.com/zj7ggoeTcI
— Tian Chua (@tianchua) March 19, 2015

In a tweet posted by Sivarasa last night, he said: "it is a contempt of Parliament to harass MPs at midnight”.

We told the police its a contempt of Parliament to harass MPs; finally sense prevailed when we said @tianchua will go at 11 am t'row
— R.Sivarasa (@SivarasaRasiah) March 19, 2015

It is understood that Inspector Ridzuan who led the arrest team finally conceded and agreed to record Chua’s statements today.

Chua will be expected to make his statements at the police station but whether or not he will be remanded is still not certain.

I'm ok for now, not sure whether will be detained tomorrow a href="https://twitter.com/mlayu_ori">@mlayu_ori: @tianchua are you ok boss??/p>— Tian Chua (@tianchua) March 19, 2015

Tian Chua tweeted that about six to eight officers were in front of his premise last night and it seemed that they were about to arrest and detain him.

Shortly after the police left his residence at 1am, Tian Chua tweeted citing that Inspector Ridzuan had apologised for the arrest.

Finally Insp Ridzuan who led the arrest team conceded & apologized: "We merely followed orders from the top". The police left about 1am.
— Tian Chua (@tianchua) March 19, 2015

When contacted by Astro AWANI today, Tian Chua said he had initially agreed to record his statements on Sunday prior to the unexpected probe by police early Friday.

@tianchua had already agreed with Insp Ridzuan to go to D Wangi on Sunday; but some nasty superior had ordered Ridzuan to go arrest now
— R.Sivarasa (@SivarasaRasiah) March 19, 2015

In a different developnment, socialist youth leader, K.S. Bawani had been summoned by the police to record her statement on the #KitaLawan rallies.

When contacted, Bawani said she will be accompanied by a team of counsel led from legal firm, Bon Advocates.

Tian Chua will be the 11th person under the police investigation for the #KitaLawan rallies. On Tuesday, Subang PKR member, S.Jayathas was detained by police to record his statement over the recent rallies held near Sogo shopping complex early this month.