Are activists being wrongly remanded in Malaysia?

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Activists' Remands Deemed Abuse of Power by Human Rights Group

The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) has asserted that the recent detentions and remands of Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and several opposition leaders following a May Day rally constitute an unnecessary abuse of police authority. Hakam specifically highlighted that these individuals did not pose flight risks and had cooperated with police inquiries, suggesting that their detention, including any applications for further remand, was not justified under normal investigative practices.
Grounds for Detention Questioned

Hakam stated that police powers of detention should be exercised with restraint, primarily reserved for situations where there is a demonstrable risk of an individual absconding or interfering with ongoing investigations. The group's position implies that the circumstances surrounding the detentions of Ambiga Sreenevasan, Anthony Loke, and S. Arulchelvam did not meet these stringent criteria, leading to their assessment of the actions as an abuse of power.
Legal Provisions Invoked

The individuals in question were detained under the Sedition Act and Section 143 of the Penal Code, which pertains to participation in an unlawful assembly. Police also indicated that protesters brought children to the rally, an act deemed an offence under the Peaceful Assembly Act. These legal frameworks were employed following an event organised by the #KitaLawan movement, which drew an estimated ten thousand participants.
Police Justification for Action

Authorities claimed that the rally, which proceeded for a significant portion without reported injuries, eventually became uncontrolled. Police cited alleged vandalism and the deployment of smoke bombs by protesters as reasons for their intervention. The presence of children at the rally was also presented by the police as a violation of the Peaceful Assembly Act, contributing to their justification for the arrests.

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Are activists being wrongly remanded in Malaysia?

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