The Star Malaysia

Student group lodges report against Ali Tinju over threat

- KUALA LUMPUR:

Student Unity Front has lodged a report against former soldier Mohd Ali Baharom, also known as Ali Tinju, for allegedly making a threat against Bersih 2.0 chief Maria Chin Abdullah.

Its president Asheeq Ali lodged the report at the Dang Wangi police headquarte­rs yesterday in response to Ali Tinju’s “threatenin­g” remarks published by a news portal earlier last week.

Ali Tinju reportedly issued the warning against Maria, by saying that “she may no longer walk on this earth”, following her confirmati­on that the Bersih 5 rally is set for Nov 19.

“I will ambush her in the near future. Even if I have to spend 10 years’ in prison, I don’t mind.

“Wait and see. She won’t feel peace and even with 10 or 20 bodyguards, we will whip them. She has to remember. I’m worried she may no longer walk on this earth. These are the words of a former soldier,” he was quoted as saying in the report.

Describing Ali Tinju’s remarks as “criminal intimidati­on”, Asheeq said he lodged the report out of concern for Maria’s safety.

“This is criminal intimidati­on. It is a cowardly act and against the law. I hope police will take action against him as soon as possible.”

Asheeq said Ali Tinju was also embarrassi­ng the Malaysian Armed Forces by issuing the statement in the capacity of a former soldier.

“Does a former soldier need to threaten a woman? Please don’t behave foolishly,” he added.

In another developmen­t, the organisers of the Red Shirt Rally have also made a police report, this time against Maria, for inciting the people to commit acts that could destabilis­e public order and peace.

Its informatio­n head Ariffin Abu Bakar said the police should investigat­e Maria for calling on the people to gather for the proposed rally on Nov 19.

“I watched a recording of their press conference on YouTube and decided to lodge a police report.

“She is blatantly spreading false allegation­s about Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Najib Tun Razak and I am worried her acts could tarnish the image of our country,” he told reporters after lodging the report at the Ampang Jaya police headquarte­rs yesterday.

He, as the informatio­n head and representa­tive of the Red Shirts, strongly opposed the Bersih 5 rally as it could cause chaos and affect public safety.

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