Azwanddin detained by police
JMM head probed for criminal intimidation
PETALING JAYA: Police are investigating the provocative speech by NGO leader Datuk Azwanddin Hamzah Ariffin Abu Bakar during a rally in support of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.
Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm Fadzil Ahmat said Azwanddin was detained by police at 2.40pm yesterday in Jalan Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, for questioning.
“He is being investigated for criminal intimidation as well for insulting another person,” he said.
He added Azwanddin would be brought to court in Klang today to be remanded. During the rally in Klang on Tuesday, Azwanddin, who is Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) president, had allegedly used provocative language against Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy.
Azwanddin also reportedly told his audience to attack a police station if no action was taken over the fireman’s death.
The rally was organised by NGO Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Geras).
Geras president Abu Bakar Mohamed later expressed regret over Azwanddin’s speech, saying that he did not follow guidelines set for speakers at the rally.
He also said Azwanddin will no longer be invited to future Geras programmes.
North Klang OCPD ACP Nurulhuda Mohd Salleh said five police reports have been received regarding Tuesday’s rally. She said police would record statements from the organisers.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran said every individual has a right to express his opinion or dissenting views on issues.
“We are in Malaysia Baru (New Malaysia) and we should expect this,” he said yesterday.
He was responding to calls by various groups for him and Waytha Moorthy to quit
their Cabinet posts over their comments on the Seafield temple riots.
Kulasegaran said Muhammad Adib’s fate was regrettable and should not occur again.
Waytha Moorthy could not be reached for comment yesterday.
However, it is learnt that he will be issuing an official statement on the matter later.
Many groups have demanded the resignation of Waytha Moorthy, who is Minister in charge of National Unity and Social Wellbeing, for allegedly issuing a statement regarding police inaction during the riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple.