Maria Chin's detention not related to politics - IGP

The detention of Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah under the Security Offences (Special Measures Act) SOSMA 2012 was based on evidence and had no connection to politics, said Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said the detention was connected to documents found in Maria's office which could jeopardise parliamentary democracy in this country.

"On Nov 18, a raid was carried out on Bersih's office...from our checks, we found documents that showed that an offence had been committed under Section 124c of the Penal Code which threatened the practice of parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.

"Because we had enough reason to investigate her under Section 124c, we detained her on the same day and the investigations were conducted under SOSMA," he said, adding that Maria's detention was not connected to the Bersih 5.0 Rally in the city last Saturday.

READ: Maria Chin's detention under SOSMA to assist investigations - Jazlan

Khalid was speaking at a press conference at the KL International Airport after returning from an official visit to Manila today.

Khalid, however, refused to comment further on the contents of the documents seized from the Bersih office.

He said Maria also admitted receiving sponsorship for Bersih from the Open Society Foundations (OSF) which was founded by billionaire George Soros.

"We all know what this OSF is and how many nations it has toppled, so it is the Royal Malaysia Police's duty to investigate to ensure that our country's peace is not threatened by anyone," he said.

Khalid added that everyone must understand that SOSMA was not limited to terrorist activities but the act could facilitate investigations and offences relating to security.

In a related matter, Khalid denied that Maria was badly treated in the lock-up since she was detained last Friday.

"The treatment we gave her is the same as that for other detainees and we always follow our Standard Operating Procedures.

"We have not neglected her medical needs. So far, the doctor has visited her no less than three times since she was detained, and we have a doctor on 24-hour standby for any detainees who are in need," said Khalid.

Last Sunday, Maria's family reported that police had allegedly treated Maria badly in the lock-up since she was detained on Nov 18.

Bersih is a movement calling for electoral reform in the country. -- BERNAMA