PBK chief Voon, four others released on police bail
The police have withdrawn the remand applications for Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan and four other party members in relation to a protest convoy around the city on Wednesday.
Following the withdrawal, Voon together Danny Voon Yung Ming, Phang Aik Hua, Chan Chee Wei and Lue Cheng Hing, who were arrested separately Wednesday night, were released on police bail.
They are being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988.
They were alleged to have been involved in a protest convoy around the city around 5.30pm.
A video clip showing the convoy had gone viral on social media.
Voon when met by reporters at the court yesterday hoped the public would understand that as PBK president, he had an obligation and duty to carry out a protest to protect the rights of Sarawakians.
“It has caused embarrassment to all of us but I can say that from my experience in cases like this, the police will release someone on police bail.
“Why were we remanded? There’s a big question mark there, and suddenly we are just released like that.
“I have a duty to myself, you and Sarawak, to make sure that things are not done wrong and people will not abuse their authority and power,” he said.
Earlier at a press conference, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the arrests were made following three police reports lodged over video clips shared over WhatsApp and Facebook.
“In the videos, a man was seen to be talking through a hailer in front of a hotel at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg and near a commercial area at Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli,” he told reporters.
He said the man had allegedly condemned the proposed alliance between Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia.
Videos circulated online also showed the group’s vehicles – fixed with banners stating ‘No to PAS’ – being driven around the city, he added.
“During the arrests, police seized three vehicles believed to have been used during the drive around the city by the group, as well as the banners,” he said.
Mohd Azman reminded the people not to create any provocation that could disturb the peace and cause public unrest.
“We will take strict action against anyone who found to be committing these forms of provocations.” Mohd Azman also said police are currently in the midst of conducting roadblocks in 35 locations throughout the state.
“The operation began on Nov 22 and will continue until further notice,” he added.
Mohd Azman however assured that the roadblocks were merely to create a police omnipresence as the situation in Sarawak was still peaceful and under control.