TWO United Rights of Malaysian Party’s (Urimai) Selangor leaders were arrested by the North Klang police yesterday (Sept 5) under the Minor Offences Act 1955 (Section 14), Penal Code (Section 509) and Communication and Multimedia Act 1988 (Section 233).
The arrest and detention of Gunasekaran Kuppan or popularly known as Cikgu Segar, 54, and his deputy Sunthrraju Kuppusamy, 57, were related to the posting of Tik Tok messages where both questioned the efficacy of the Selangor state government’s iSeed and SITHAM (Selangor Indian Entrepreneur Development Programme) schemes.
Apparently, I was informed that some state EXCO members were not too happy with the TikTok postings of Gunasekaran and Sunthrraju.
Their TikTok messages were not offensive. They merely asked two Selangor EXCO members – one from PKR and the other from DAP – what has happened to the financial allocations for the Indian community under the iSEED and SITHAM schemes.
Both Gunasekaran and Sunthrraju will be taken to the Klang Magistrate’s Court today (Sept 6) for the police to seek remand order. Urimai’s team together with lawyers will be there to assist the duo.
Doubtlessly, Urimai Selangor under Gunasekaran has in the past one year or so been very critical of the Selangor Madani government. He has taken up issues on cattle displacement, housing for the poor and employment for the youth.
No freedom of expression
His criticisms must have annoyed the Selangor state government, particularly its EXCO members. Apparently, when one of our leaders contacted the police, he was informed that the police were pressured by the Selangor state government to take action against Gunasekaran and his men.
It is strange the so-called reformist government cannot take criticisms from the opposition, including Urimai. Meanwhile, Urimai’s lawyers will do the necessary to get Gunasekaran and Sunthrraju out from detention.
If the police have evidence their wrongdoings, then they should be charged in the court of law. The police should not act under the political direction of the clueless Madani government.
The police action against Gunasekaran and Sunthrraju should not be seen as an isolated incident; it is taking place in the larger political context of the government’s repression against the opposition.
The licensing of the social media platforms, the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) intolerance of critical social media publications and others are instances of the intolerance of the government towards criticisms.
The Madani government has gone back on the promises of democracy and justice for ordinary citizens in the country. The police should be exercising independence and neutrality by not acting on the behest of the government of the day.
I hereby urge the police to release Gunasekaran and Sunthrraju immediately or charge them for the “offences” committed.
Despite 67 years of political independence, social and economic transformation, the police force remains the same as before. Urimai is in solidarity with Gunasekaran and Sunthrraju. May justice prevail! – Sept 6, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
