Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman receiving a memorandum from the activists — Picture via Twitter/SyedSaddiq
KOTA KINABALU: Police have released the eight activists arrested on Malaysia Day morning after they were detained for protesting at Lintasan Deasoka, Gaya Street here.
They are being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for allegedly obstructing police officers and under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) for allegedly failing to obtain a permit for their protest.
“Police investigation showed that the venue was a public and free space. When the event happened, the group was directed three times by authorities to disperse but they did not heed it.
“One suspect held and pushed the police and acted aggressively,” said Kota Kinabalu police chief Habibi Majinji in a statement yesterday.
Section 186 of the Penal Code states that whoever “voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions”, shall be punished with jail up to three months, or fine up to RM1,000, or both.
Section 9(5) of PAA said offenders can be fined less than RM10,000 for not notifying the district police chief within ten days prior to the assembly.
Habibi also said that nobody was injured during the assembly or the arrest, either among the suspects or the authorities.
The police also said that there were 25 of their officers and 20 from the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) during the operation, versus 25 participants of the protest.
The group said they were picked up by “a huge number of policemen” yesterday morning and were “physically attacked” before they were able to disperse after being warned by the authorities.
The 10 demands of the protest attended by around 100 people included equal education rights, better public transport service and job opportunities for Sabahans.
Meanwhile, the eight activists have accused Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) officers of sparking off the violence, after claiming to have been manhandled.
Activist Mukmin Nantang told a news portal that the group could not be entirely sure if the police were involved in the scuffle since their arrest happened so fast.
“We were in chaos, it could be DBKK, it could be the police, we didn’t initially notice who started it,” he said.
However, Mukmin said the group surmised as such later on, since the police officers were also investigated together with them.
“We are not sure if the police were involved, but we can confirm that DBKK started it,” he added.
Mukmin said the group could have been mistaken, claiming there were also plainclothes police and DBKK officers.
Mukmin, however, complained about the group’s treatment at the police station, claiming that they were asked to take a urine test.
“It was as if they were trying to frame us. What was their motive to test our urine, when all eight of us tested negative?” he asked, adding that they are planning to lodge complaints.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman met with the police and activists yesterday afternoon, and received a memorandum from the group.
Mukmin also slammed critics who accused them of being political saboteurs planted by Opposition pact Gabungan Bersatu Sabah, even though one of those arrested is the Youth chief of Sabah Parti Amanah Negara, Mohd Khairudin Daud.
“Those who said that may not know anything. We’re not political, but we’ve always supported Pakatan Harapan,” he said.