Urgent Appeal Update 2: Wong Chin Huat, 5 Lawyers and 15 Activists Released
Urgent Appeal Update 2: Wong Chin Huat, 5 Lawyers and 15 Activists Released
8 May 2009
Bersih's activist Wong Chin Huat was released from police custody at 3.30pm at the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur . His release came soon after release of five lawyers who were arrested during candlelight vigil outside the Brickfields district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur last night.
The lawyers was released at 2.50pm and followed by 15 other activists who were arrested yesterday were also released at the Brickfields police station. However the police had confiscated the black shirts donned by them. The family members and friends had to bring new sets of clothing for them.
Activist Wong Chin Huat and the lawyers have been asked to report back at the Brickfields police station on May 22.
We thank all who have been continuously support for the release of those arrested since Tuesday. We appreciate your concern and solidarity. Please keep sending protest letters and demand the IGP and the Prime Minister to stop the ongoing crackdown in Malaysia .
Released by,
Nalini.E
Coordinator
Background
Wong Chin Huat, an academic and activist of polls reform group, the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH), was arrested by police yesterday (5 May 2009), under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act. Wong is believed to have been arrested in connection to a press conference held in the morning of 5 May 2009, where he urged all Malaysians to wear black in protest of the Barisan Nasional’s takeover of Perak state government from Pakatan Rakyat, a move seen by many as unconstitutional. He has been remanded for three days until 8 May 2009.
On 6 May 2009, 14 individuals, including two SUARAM coordinators, were arrested during a candlelight vigil outside Brickfields district police station. They were gathering to show support to Wong Chin Huat who was arrested under Sedition Act. They were released a few hours later after their particulars were taken by the police.
On 7 May 2009, for the second continuous night, a candlelight vigil was held by civil citizens at the Brickfields police to show support for Wong Chin Huat. 20 individuals were arrested, of which 5 were lawyers who were there to represent the 14 individuals arrested earlier.
At the same time, SUARAM Penang organised "Democracy’s First Candlelight Vigil" in Penang . The emcee of the event, Ng Eng Kiat, was arrested after the group dispersed. He is being investigated under Section 141 of the Penal Code and Section 4 of the Sedition Act.
Simultaneously, a candlelight vigil was held at Kuching and Padungan state assemblyperson Dominique Ng along with 10 PKR members was arrested.