Civil society groups call on cops to 'stay neutral', halt probe on activists

A group of 50 civil society organisations have called on the police to exercise neutrality on the dissatisfaction expressed over the formation of the new government, stressing that free speech is compatible with constitutional monarchy.

"Citizens who peaceably protest – through expression or assembly - against the betrayal of the people’s mandate since February 23, including about party-hopping and backdoor government, are not being disrespectful to the Agong," the groups said in a statement today.

Initiated by human rights advocates Engage and Pusat Komas, the statement was jointly released by a broad range of groups including Bersih, Suaram, Tenaganita, Sisters In Islam as well as Orang Asli groups, religious-based NGOs, environmentalist and workers' rights organisation.

They added that the Agong's discretionary power to “appoint as prime minister to preside over the cabinet a member of the House of Representatives who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House' is enshrined in Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution and is indisputable.

"The legitimacy of any prime minister may, however, be challenged and negated by Parliament through passing a motion of no-confidence, rejecting a motion of confidence or rejecting the Budget.

"In doing so, parliamentarians are not being disrespectful towards the Agong. Rather, they are being loyal subjects by ensuring that the popular mandate is properly represented," said the groups.

"Fair comments, if civilly expressed, and assemblies, peaceably organised, are perfectly compatible with and beneficial for a constitutional monarchy.

"This is so because observation and accounts of these activities enable the Agong to better gauge and consider public opinion," said the groups.

"The police must, therefore, exercise neutrality in the matter. While Muhyiddin Yassin has been appointed, his appointment as prime minister may be invalidated by the court or rejected by Parliament.

"The police should serve Muhyiddin's government as the government of the day for now but should not take a partisan position on whether his appointment should be accepted.

"Politicising the police in the name of the monarchy would be a great disservice to both the monarchical institution and the police," said the groups, who welcomed Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador’s assurance on March 2 that the police will respect the right to express and assemble as long as it is within the law.

The groups also called on the police to stop investigations against activists, namely Fadiah Natwa Fikri, Liew Liang Hong, Wong Yan Ke, Nik Azura Nik Nasron, A Sivarajan, Amir Hariri, Asmalif Abdul Adam, Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, Amar Atan, E Nalini, Asheeq Ali, Beverly Joemen, Aishah Adam, Rennddypeper Ismail, Dobby Chew, Ridzuan Abu Bakar, Marina Mahathir and Ambiga Sreenevasan, who joined peaceful assemblies last week.

They called on the police not to press charges on those, who in their great concern for democracy, made excessive and rude comments toward the monarchical institution.

"We also appeal to netizens to exercise prudence and civility in commenting on the matter to avoid providing an excuse for a crackdown on free speech and the creation of a chilling effect," the groups added.