‘I’m willing to go to jail for what I said’
JMM president and blogger give statement over May 13 remarks
KUALA LUMPUR: The police have recorded the statements of Pertubuhan Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) president Datuk Azwanddin Hamzah Ariffin Abu Bakar and blogger Ragvinder Singh Jess over their recent remarks touching on May 13.
The duo were seen entering the Ampang Jaya district police headquarters together at 11am yesterday before leaving about two hours later.
Azwanddin confirmed that their statements were recorded in relation to their recent press conference, particularly with regard to the May 13 racial clashes in 1969.
“I’m willing to go to jail for what I said. We were told that we could be arrested anytime,” he told reporters outside the venue yesterday.
Before giving his statement, Azwanddin was seen telling his supporters that he would fight on even if he was arrested.
“The more you press me, the more I will fight back.
“Do not try to disturb the rights of the Malays,” he said.
He claimed that the government’s decision not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) was due to pressure from the Malay Muslim community.
Azwanddin is also the adviser of Gagasan Kuasa 3 (G3), a new grouping of Malay Muslim NGOs headed by Ragvinder, better known as Raggie Jessy.
It is formed as a “third force alliance to destroy DAP to save Muslims”.
Meanwhile, Raggie claimed that both their bank accounts were frozen and they were banned from leaving the country.
Both men emphasised that they were not racist but merely opposing DAP.
Ampang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Hamzah Alias confirmed that statements were recorded from the duo for further investigations.
“No arrest will be made today (Sunday),” he said when contacted.
On Friday, Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim named the two and seven others as persons of interest.
He said statements would be recorded from the nine, who included Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy, over recent statements that touched on racial and religious sentiments.