Police to call Ambiga over calls to topple government

Police have confirmed that lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan will be called to give a statement at the Dang Wangi police headquarters at 3pm tomorrow (Friday, July 31) over alleged calls to the public to stage streets protests to topple the government.

“Investigations into the matter will be conducted by Bukit Aman police personnel,” said a police source from the Dang Wangi crime investigation department when contacted by Astro AWANI here today.

It is understood that Ambiga, who is also National Human Rights Society (Hakam) president, will be investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code for activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

Earlier police had urged lawyer Ambiga to deny claims over alleged calls to the public to stage street protests to topple the government through the Bersih 4 rally organised by Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 2.0).

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said this in reference to a press conference by Ambiga on Tuesday.

“It is not an offence to stage a rally if you are not satisfied with the government’s administration. But we must adhere to the Peaceful Assembly Act and they must conform to the correct guidelines and channel. Come and consult with us as it should be done in the correct way.

“However, calling on the people to the street to topple the government is an offence,” he stressed.

Khalid said, if the rally is conducted without a permit or permission, Bersih 4 participants will be deemed as going against the law and action will be taken on them.

Apart from that, he said, everything must be done in accordance to the Constitution while the police were responsible to ensure all actions taken adhere to the law.

“I have asked her to retract and deny the call (regarding the street protest to topple the government). The police are still waiting for her reply. If she doesn’t respond, police will call her for questioning,” Khalid said after a police function in Cheras today.

However he said, the police will make the necessary preparations to face any rally planned.

Khalid was speaking to reporters in Cheras today.

On Wednesday, the Bersih 2.0 committee chaired by Maria Chin Abdullah had urged for action to be taken in order to restore public confidence on the probe into state investment company 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Among others, Bersih 2.0 wants Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to reveal his bank account in detail, to take leave during the duration of the investigation, to freeze Najib’s accounts including those belonging to his spouse and children and to reveal the 1MDB investigation results to the public as soon as possible.