KUALA LUMPUR, AUG 13: The police must explain why they are investigating DAP member Young Syefura Othman for an allegedly seditious post made on her Facebook more than a year ago, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang has said.
L-R: Selangor DAP committee member Edry Faizal Yusof, DAP Subang Jaya ADUN Hannah Yeoh, Rara, Lim, Gobind and Teo.
At a press conference at the DAP HQ today, Lim said there were hundreds, maybe thousands of posts which used the hashtag (#), allegedly containing words that insult the monarchy, at the time.
“The police have to explain why they are acting on (the post) after a year, because thousands also used the hashtag(#) (which allegedly contained words insulting to the monarchy). Why go after Rara?” he said.
“Clearly she is being punished for being a young Malay, in particular a young Malay, who has come forward to bring about change in the country. This is punitive action against her,” he added.
Young Syefura, or better known as Rara, was informed by a police officer late last night that the police wanted to record her statement over the post. The officer, one ASP Khairuddin, had reportedly gone to her home at about 10.30pm last night, when Rara was attending the DAP Petaling Jaya fundraising dinner.
She was later informed that she would have to present herself to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters tomorrow at 10am. She was also told that she was being investigated under Section 4 of the Sedition Act.
Rara, who was also at the press conference, said she was surprised that the police would take action only a year after the Facebook post was published.
“However, I will go with my lawyer tomorrow and I intend to fully cooperate with the police. I also wish to stress that I fully respect the Constitution and the monarchy, and never intended to disrespect this,” she added.
Her lawyer, DAP national legal bureau chief Gobind Singh, stressed that there was no reason for the police to have gone to her home yesterday.
“As we have said time and again, if you want to take statements from us, just contact us. There is no need to instil fear by appearing at our homes. I also stress that we have always been consistent that we do not agree to any investigations under the Sedition Act,” he said.
Meanwhile, DAP Socialist Youth chief Teo Kok Seong said the police are using fear tactics to intimidate the youth who join DAP or the opposition.
“This is a clearly politically motivated action as Rara has been involved with many activities with DAP,” he said.
Rara is among those who have been active in DAP’s Impian Kelantan campaign, which had been helping flood-hit Kelantanese rebuild their homes and lives. She also represents the slew of young Malays who have joined the party, which has been viewed as Chinese-centric.
Recently, prominent Malays like constitutional law expert Dr Aziz Bari and national laureate A. Samad Said have joined the DAP, both citing a connection to the party’s ideals and struggles as their motivation for joining.
– The Rocket
