Free Maria Chin, Mandeep, urges rights group

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) strongly condemns the police raid on the Bersih 2.0 office and the arrests of Maria Chin and Mandeep Singh on the eve of the Bersih 5 rally.

The raid on the Bersih 2.0 office and the arrests of Maria Chin under Section 124C of the Penal Code and Mandeep Singh under Section 147 of the Penal Code is an act of intimidation targeted against activists working on the Bersih 5 rally and the Malaysian people who are struggling for institutional reforms.

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan himself had acknowledged that there was no evidence that Malaysian civil societies were funded to undermine the Malaysian government. As such, the move to raid Bersih 2.0 is unjustifiable and can only be interpreted as a desperate attempt to intimidate and derail the Bersih 5 rally.

Suaram demands that the police cease their harassment and intimidation of Bersih 2.0 immediately release Maria and Mandeep and cease their attempts to derail the peoples’ movement.

Suaram calls on Suhakam to intervene in the matter and ensure that Malaysians’ right to peacceful assembly is not jeopardised by the arrests of Maria and Mandeep. Furthermore, Suaram calls on the police to acknowledge and respect the findings by the High Court regarding Bersih 5 yesterday and to comply with the recommendations and observations by international actors including the United Nations.

Sevan Doraisamy is executive director of Suaram.

Those arrested as of 8.00pm:

1. Maria (Bersih 2.0)
2. Mandeep (Bersih 2.0)
3. Loqman (student Leader)
4. Antony Loke (DAP)
5. Ronnie Liu (DAP)
6. Arul (PSM)
7. Jimmy wong (DAP)
8. Lee Khai Ming (DAP)

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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