MPs march to Bukit Aman demanding an end to harassment of govt critics (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Led by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, 30 Opposition MPs marched from Parliament to the Bukit Aman Police headquarters yesterday to demand an end to the harassment of government critics.
"We demand that Maria Chin Abdullah be freed, that Sosma be abolished, and we want MPs to be able to serve the people in a free and independent manner," Wan Azizah said as the group of roughly 30 reached Bukit Aman at 10am.
The MPs are protesting against the 28 day-detention of Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act (Sosma),
and the arrest of Opposition MPs Chua Tian Chang (PKR-Batu) and Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR-Ampang), and Anthony Loke (DAP-Seremban).
On Sosma, Khalid Samad (Amanah-Shah Alam) said the Opposition rejected the law when it was tabled in Parliament in 2012 as it does not respect human rights.
"Sosma allows for any method of information extraction and the evidence produced is admissible in court under this law.
"We asked the government if this included torture, they said yes, but assured that this law will only be used on terrorists.
"Maria is not a terrorist, how is calling for free and fair elections considered terrorism?" said Khalid whose comments were met with a roar of approval from the MPs.
The group requested that a senior police officer meet them to receive the memorandum.
ASP Nor Azman Yusof from Bukit Aman's corporate communications department received the memorandum on behalf of Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PPBM-Pagoh) said the detention of Maria under Sosma, which was passed during his tenure, is an abuse of power.
"My understanding was that Sosma will only be used against terrorists such as the Islamic State and others, not for political opponents," Muhyiddin said.
He added that Maria and Bersih supporters were exercising their right to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and called for her immediate release.
Other MPs present were Kasthuri Patto (DAP-Batu Kawan), Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna), Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena), Muhajid Yusof Rawa (Amanah-Parit Buntar), and Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Gelang Patah).