PSM pans police probe into deputy chief over Parliament scuffle
PETALING JAYA : Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has slammed the police investigation into its deputy chairman, S Arutchelvan, over a scuffle outside Parliament yesterday.
Calling it unjust, PSM secretary-general M Sivaranjani said Arutchelvan was pushed to the ground and also injured during the scuffle.
'This is clearly visible in various media reports and videos posted on social media.
'Now, he is being investigated when he is actually the victim,' she said in a statement today.
The clash occurred when police stopped a group of more than 100 estate workers, led by Arutchelvan, from marching to Parliament's gates.
The workers had walked from Taman Tugu to submit a memorandum on housing and a draft bill making it compulsory for estates to provide homes for local plantation workers.
Although blocked from gathering at the gates, the group managed to hand over the documents to deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kulasegaran and opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan.
However, Kuala Lumpur police said yesterday that the commotion left a police officer injured, and that an investigation had been launched.
City police chief Fadli Marsus said the case was being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, and Section 427 for mischief.
In a statement, Arutchelvan said he would present himself at the Dang Wangi police station at 2pm today with his legal team after being contacted by a police inspector at 10pm yesterday.
He said the incident was recorded and public, and that their only intention had been to submit the memorandum.
'I deny that there was any aggression on our part during the handover of the memorandum, as we have the right to assemble peacefully under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution,' he added.
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