PSM leaders, activists nabbed at farmers’ protest in Ipoh

Policemen grappling with protesting farmers as they tried to force their way into the state assembly building to meet with Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Wong Tuck Keong, August 5, 2015.Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) leaders, S. Arutchelvan, M. Saraswathy and Sungai Siput MP Dr. Michael Jeyakumar were arrested by police today, for participating in a farmers' protest outside the state secretariat building in Ipoh.

The three were among an estimated 40 activists and farmers nabbed under Section 143 of the Penal Code for unlawful assembly.

Others who were also picked up by the police include K. Kunasekaran, coordinator for the group helping the farmers and breeders, as well as PSM Youth chief K.S. Bawani, of the "listen, listen, listen" video that went viral a few years ago.

About 200 protesters had gathered at the back entrance of the Perak state secretariat since 10am this morning, to protest and demand that Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir engage with them in a formal dialogue.

Officers from the Ipoh City Council were also at the scene and confiscated fruits, fish and vegetables, which the farmers had laid out on the road to block the entry into the state secretariat building, which housed the menteri besar's office.

Prior to the arrests, several protestors had attempted to force their way into the state secretariat by pushing the iron gate of the back entrance.

They were, however, pushed back by policemen who were standing guard at the entrance. Some leaders then shouted at the group not to get aggressive.

Arutchelvan and Jeyakumar then spoke with an officer from Menteri Besar's office, who was later identified as Zulkifli Abdullah, the MB's senior private secretary.

"We were told that the menteri besar will not see us today, that we will be given a response next Monday.

"However, the farmers are not happy with a verbal promise and so we requested for a written response from the menteri besar," said Arutchelvan.

He added that police then warned action would be taken against the protesters if they did not disperse.

One of the farmers, then relayed the police warning to the protesters and then asked in Cantonese if they were willing to be hauled up.

To this, the group replied with a loud "Yes!", although some of them started leaving the area.

Police later told the remaining group, they were given three minutes to disperse or face arrest.

Those who stayed back including Arutchelvan, Jeyakumar, Saraswathy and Segar, were seen voluntarily climbing unto the police truck.

Perak Criminal Investigation Department chief SAC Goh Kok Liang and new Perak deputy police chief Datuk Hasnan Hassan, arrived at the scene later but declined to speak to the reporters, saying that they would release an official statement later.

Those arrested were taken to Sungai Senam police station to have their statements recorded

- TMI