UM student nabbed at dialogue with PM

 

A Universiti Malaya (UM) student in a Bersih t-shirt was held for questioning by the police before a dialogue session between students and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Koh Cher Hao, a sports science undergraduate, was approached by three police personnel in plainclothes when he was at the Tunku Chancellor Hall.

“They showed me their authority card and asked me to follow them out. When I was out of the hall, I asked if I was being arrested and they replied that I will find out at the police station,” he said when met later.

Koh was taken to the Pantai police station where he was questioned under Section 103 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which stipulates that a police personnel may “interpose” to prevent the commission of any seizable offence.

Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching who rushed to the scene to provide Koh legal aid condemned the police for abusing their powers.

“Seizable offences includes murder, kidnap, rape, theft or burglary. When I asked the police, what is the seizable offence here, they could not answer.

“Ikut arahan atas (following orders from the top) was the reply. It is obvious that they were abusing their powers to intimidate the students,” said Teo, who is a practising lawyer.
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Teo said this was reinforced by the fact that Koh's statement was not recorded and that the police only recorded his particulars.

"There was no questions related to the debate or his attire," she said.

The dialogue was organised by the Eight Major Chinese Youth Organisations (Emco). MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek fielded questions by students before Najib’s arrival.

When approached, Chua Soi Lek declined on the arrest.

"I will not comment until I am clear on the circumstances," he said.

Emco president Gan Tian Loo, who is also Malacca MCA chief, said he will clarify the matter with the organisers and the authorities later.

Over the past week, there have been calls on Facebook for students to show up in yellow shirts to show support for the Bersih movement, which calls for free and fair election.

The Najib administration has dismissed the Bersih movement as a opposition front and have refused to accommodate most of their demands designed to improve the electoral system.