Pas activists in Johor Bahru detained by police during press conference for wearing Bersih shirts

Two Pas activists wearing Bersih 2.0 t-shirts were detained for further questioning in the midst of a press conference held by state PAS leaders in Johor Bahru here, recently.

The noon incident saw Pas district chief, Rosli Kemin, and Pas Pulai branch deputy chief,  Za’aba Ibrahim, detained by a team of policemen witnessed by several state Pas leaders and reporters.

Johor Pas information chief, Mazlan Aliman, said they were at the South Johor Bahru district police headquarters to lodge a report relating to the recently held Bersih 2.0 rally and did not expect the two PAS activists to be detained for merely wearing the Bersih 2.0 yellow t-shirt.

“Where is the justification in detaining the duo and does it constitute an offence in wearing the t-shirt when the BERSIH 2.0 rally is already over?” he asked reporters when asked for his comment on the incident.

He added that the incident does not reflect well on the professionalism of the police force, and it clearly shows that the police act on the directive of the ruling administration.

“I urge the police to act impartially and not to ape the dictatorial approach undertaken in some countries where the police force has been used to protect the sole interests of the government,” Mazlan said.

Johor state Pas will lodge a strong protest with the state police chief for the uncalled for arrest soon.

“The purpose of our protest is to register our sheer disappointment with the police team who were disrespectful to those who were present in an on-going press conference when the police team came to arrest the duo,” he added.

Meanwhile, south Johor Bahru district police chief, Zainuddin Yaacob, confirmed the arrest and said that the duo will be detained for further questioning.

He said the police had not decided when to release the duo which will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.