Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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(June 5): Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar abused his authority by stopping the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) forum that was to discuss a public interest issue that affects all citizens, civil lawyers said.

They said it was shocking for the IGP to call off the meeting this morning when there was no basis for assuming that the subject matter to be discussed would result in riots or damage to property after the event.

The lawyers also said police did not give early notice that the forum would pose a threat to security and public order.

As a law enforcement officer, Khalid did not act to facilitate public to exchange views in a civilised manner but instead behaved like an alarmist, they added.

Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad said there was no basis for Khalid to call off the forum as the meeting was conducted behind closed doors and in an orderly manner.

"There was no violence or commotion in the hall. I do not think what Dr Mahathir was going to reveal would result in public disorder after the forum," said the constitutional lawyer, referring to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Khalid, through his Twitter account, earlier today issued a directive that the dialogue be called off on the grounds of public order and national harmony.

Dr Mahathir was also stopped from speaking at the forum by the police after 10 minutes into his speech, causing an uproar among those present.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was scheduled to be present at the “Nothing To Hide” forum at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), however, did not turn up.

Dr Mahathir said he joined others at the forum to listen to Najib's explanation.

Amer said he has been critical of Dr Mahathir on many issues, including using preventive laws to silence his critics in the past, but he would defend the former prime minister's right as a citizen to air his views on matters of public concern.

"As the title of the forum clearly suggests, what is there to hide when Dr Mahathir was invited to address the crowd.”

Amer said Najib, who had been touring the country to meet the people, should have attended the event to offer his side of the IMDB story to the crowd.

Lawyer Fahri Azzat said people were concerned over the RM42 billion debt accrued by 1MBD and the public expected Najib, who is also finance minister to clear the air.

"We do not want to wait for investigations by the police, auditor-general, the Public Accounts Committee and Bank Negara. We want Najib to explain and answer to queries in person," he added.

Fahri said he was surprised by police action to stop the event held at the Umno headquarters to exchange views.

"Police were definitely not acting in the interest of the public or Umno, but to protect Najib," he said, adding that Khalid's reason for cancelling the event was spurious.

He said what Khalid did was to interfere in the private affairs of the organisers who had booked an indoor venue.

Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen said Khalid had also violated the democratic right of the organisers and those present to hear about the 1MDB fiasco.

"It is mind-boggling for the IGP to equate the forum with a threat to public order and national harmony.”

Paulsen reminded Khalid that he may have succeeded in calling off the forum today but he could not stop the message.

"Anyone, including Dr Mahathir, can pen their thoughts on the 1MDB issue to share with others in the social and alternative media." – The Malaysian Insider

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