IGP’s warning is ‘ridiculous’, says Anthony Loke

MP for Seremban questions how suggesting a peaceful assembly might take place had become “seditious” and “threatening” in the IGP’s book

PETALING JAYA: The instruction by the Inspector-General of Police to have him investigated for sedition for suggesting a demonstration might possibly be held against the prime minister, is “ridiculous”, said DAP’s Anthony Loke today.

Explaining how his statement came about, Loke, who is DAP National Organising Secretary and MP for Seremban, told Malaysiakini, “I was responding to a question by a reporter. He asked me whether there will be a demonstration against Najib, so I said I will not rule out the possibility.

“I did not say there will be a demonstration.”

He also questioned why it would be considered wrong to hold a peaceful assembly to pressure Prime Minister Najib Razak to step down, and said, “That is our right.”

He further asked, “(How) have we come to a stage where it is seditious and threatening to even suggest a peaceful assembly?”

Talk of a peaceful assembly surfaced after the explosive allegations by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) last Friday that USD700 million from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) companies had been channelled into the private bank accounts of the PM.

Upon getting wind of the possibility of a demonstration organised by the Opposition, IGP Khalid Abu Bakar responded by tweeting, “Please investigate the originator of this message which is a threat, seditious and jeopardises public harmony.”