Politico-economic terrorists II

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak’s strongest enemies within UMNO had come out and lashed against the use of Security Ordinance (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) for the detention of former Batu Kawan UMNO Vice Chief Khairuddin Hassan and former Political Secretary to the Fourth Prime Minister Matthias Chang.

The Star story:

Published: Monday October 12, 2015 MYT 11:54:00 AM
Updated: Monday October 12, 2015 MYT 1:17:57 PM

Dr M, Ku Li team up to slam Sosma detention of 1MDB critics

BY DINA MURAD

(From left) Shafie, Muhyiddin, Dr Mahathir, Tengku Razaleigh, Sanusi and Ong.

 

PUTRAJAYA: A group of Barisan Nasional leaders headed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad have come together to voice out against the prosecution of former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer, Matthias Chang, under the new anti-terrorism law.

Reporters filled the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya on Monday to hear Dr Mahathir speak alongside Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Sanusi Junid and former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat against what they claim is the Government’s abuse of power.

“The government should release them. Don’t detain people under Sosma because that’s not what Sosma is for. Sosma is for terrorists. Do you think Matthias or Khairuddin are terrorists? They merely reported what they think is a crime. For reporting that, you are questioned and detained? That is an abuse of power,” said Dr Mahathir, who repeated his call for a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“The government is not functioning according to the laws of the country but beyond the laws. That’s why we have come here to make a statement that we are against the abuse of laws of this country and other activities of government which are questionable,” he said.

“We hope that the people will understand why we have taken this stand and I hope that the people will also express their objections to the government arresting and detaining people without any legal basis for their action,” he added.

Both Khairuddin and Chang were detained under Section 124 of the Security Offence (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 over offences deemed detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

The press conference was held while Khairuddin and Chang were being charged at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate’s court with attempting to sabotage the country’s banking and financial systems.

Khairuddin was arrested after making several reports overseas, including in Singapore, Switzerland, France and Hong Kong against 1MDB.

Sosma was initially introduced to combat terrorist threats in Malaysia, and the Government had assured that the act would not be used against political opponents.

“Based on the Prime Minister’s promise on April 16, 2012, the two citizens must be released immediately and the authorities must provide a guarantee that no one else will be arrested under the Act merely for expressing their views, opinions, criticisms or take part in any action which is authorized by the Constitution and laws of the country,” read a statement by the group and co-signed by another former MCA president, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who was not present at the press conference.

Muhyiddin, Razaleigh and Dr Mahathir have all stood up as critics of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Muhyiddin’s opposing views on the state investment fund was what caused him to be dropped in the July 28 Cabinet reshuffle alongside Shafie.

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The media conference was made by Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd. Yassin, Former Trade and Industry Minister and Semangat 46 President Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Former Transport Minister and MCA President Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat and Former Rural and Co-operative Development Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Shafie Apdal.

These ‘Former’ Club members should objectively look at what Khairuddin and Chang did, which was to promote the negative opinion and erosion against the confidence of Prime Minister Najib’s administration.

The action was not only in Malaysia, but in a few countries which include Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, United Kingdom and United States.

Khairuddin and Chang are believed to have made reports with the law enforcement authorities with all the countries except United States, where he was arrested at his home after he was barred from exiting the country at Immigration Malaysian border control, KLIA on 18 September 2015.

NST story:

Khairuddin arrested; Azmin questioned

BY KHAIRAH N. KARIM – 19 SEPTEMBER 2015 @ 1:00 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: Police today arrested former Umno member Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan on suspicion of having committed activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy, an offence under the Penal Code.

Khairuddin, who was sacked from Umno after he was declared a bankrupt, was picked up at his house yesterday evening and was taken to the Dang Wangi police headquarters for questioning.

It is understood his property was also auctioned off after he was declared bankrupt, but he was later bailed out by a notable figure.

He was supposed to report to the Bukit Aman this Monday for his statement to be recorded regarding his recent action in sending documents on the RM42 billion 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) matter to the Attorney-General of Switzerland.

He had tried to leave the country through KLIA yesterday morning by taking a 10.30am flight to London.

However, he and his lawyer, Matthias Chang, were barred by Immigration from leaving the country.

“We were blacklisted by Immigration on the advice of the police,” Khairuddin said on his Facebook posting.

Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commission Zainol Samah, however, said he did not have details of the arrest. He said investigations were being conducted by federal police in Bukit Aman.

“The arrest was made by Bukit Aman… they are conducting the investigations,” he said.

Khairuddin was sacked from Umno and lost his position as Batu Kawan division vice chief after being declared a bankrupt in accordance to the party constitution.

Khairuddin also claimed that a meeting with Immigration officers at the department’s offices proved fruitless as all he and Chang were told was they were not allowed to travel due to a request from Bukit Aman. Chang confirmed the arrest.

“Yes, he was picked up from his house in Mont Kiara. He is being taken to Dang Wangi,” Chang told The Malaysian Insider.

Khairuddin is currently being held overnight at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, Chang said. There will be a remand hearing at 9.30am at the station tomorrow, in front of a magistrate.

The portal said Khairuddin was being investigated for attempt to commit activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy, a charge under the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, Selangor Mentri Besar and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali is being investigated for a speech he made during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign and for wearing the yellow Bersih 4 T-shirt, which was deemed illegal.

He was called to have his statement recorded at the Dang Wangi police headquarters yesterday and was accompanied by former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga and his lawyers, Latheefa Koya and N. Surendran.

Azmin is being investigated under sections 4(2)(f) and 4(1)(c) of the Peaceful Assemblies Act 2012 for organising and participating in an unlawful assembly and section 8 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 for wearing the banned T-shirt.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/khairuddin-arrested-azmin-questioned

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This act should be seen as tantamounts to economic sabotage.

Security Offices (Special Measures) Act 2012, also known as SOSMA

What Khairuddin and Chang did was to breach No. (1) of the opening to SOSMA (2012).

The Former Club members clearly interfering with the process of law enforcement as the duo’s arrest were made in accordance of a law passed by Parliament. The Police have been monitoring the ‘disaster duo’s activities and their statements, which include manipulation of facts, fabrication and lies designed  to ridicule, cast a negative aspersion and sow hatred towards Prime Minister Najib.

The Minister of Communication and Multimedia Dato’ Sri Mohd. Salleh Tun Said Keruak said on Saturday “There is definitely a reason why we detain someone under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma). We don’t take action as we like, when there is no strong proof”.

The Former Club politicising the matter could be construed as emulating the behaviour of the Opposition. The Opposition have resorted the same method, intensely after the sacking for Former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 2 September 1998.

Just like the Opposition, the ‘disaster duo’ realised that Prime Minister Najib cannot be toppled in the general election nor party elections. Hence, they resorted to demonise him through the various means employed and work towards getting the rakyat to be riled up and rise against the leadership.

It is unlikely that these Former Club members are really into the principles of the ‘disaster duo’ being arrested for SOSMA (2012) since they have not raised any objection to others who have been arrested.

Since the Former Club members were former high powered member of the Cabinet at some point of time, they should be able to organise and seek clarification on the matter from the Home Minister. However, they chose to politicise the matter, in the manner how the Opposition does it.

*Updated 400pm

‘Disaster Duo’ Khairuddin and Chang would be charged for sabotaging Malaysia’s banking and financial services.

Bernama.com story:

Khairuddin, Chang Charged With Attempt To Sabotage Malaysia’s Financial Position

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Okt — Bekas naib ketua UMNO Bahagian Batu Kawan Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan (kiri) dan peguam Matthias Chang (dua kanan) dibawa ke Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Lumpur, Isnin, menghadapi tuduhan cuba mensabotaj sistem perbankan dan kewangan negara.
–fotoBERNAMA (2015) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) — Former UMNO Batu Kawan division vice chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and lawyer Matthias Chang Wen Chieh were charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with attempting to sabotage Malaysia’s banking and financial services.

Khairuddin, 53, and Chang, 65, allegedly committed the offence at five locations between June 28 and Aug 26, this year.

The five alleged locations are, the office of the France Economic and Financial Crimes Division chief in Paris; Charing Cross Police station, London, United Kingdom; office of the Switzerland Attorney General in Bern; WaiChan Police station, Hongkong; and Cantonment Police Headquarters, Singapore.

The charge under Section 124L of the Penal Code (Act 547) read with Section 34 of the same Code, carries a jail term of up to 15 years upon conviction.

No plea were recorded from the two accused when the charge was read to them before Magistrate Siti Radzeah Kamarudin who did not allow bail.

During the proceeding, Khairuddin’s counsel Mohamad Hanif Khatri Abdulla requested for bail and speedy transfer of the case to the High Court.

The lawyer said Khairuddin had been in remand for 29 days, and Chang, five days. However, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Masri Ahmad Daud objected: “the charge falls under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) which is non-bailable”.

The DPP asked for one month to transfer the case to the high court.

“The charge against the two accused is like any case, such as drugs and murder.

The prosecution needs time.

“This case involves sabotage, to undermine the country. It is more serious than a murder case. We are only applying an existing provision,” he said.

— BERNAMA

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One of the glaring trait of the Opposition is that they always stand up for anti-establishment criminals.