Cops arrest four over fireworks at ‘Tangkap Azam Baki’ rally; case referred to AGC

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — The police have arrested four men over an incident last month where fireworks were set off during the “Tangkap Azam Baki” rally near the Sogo mall in Kuala Lumpur.

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Sazalee Adam today said investigations are still ongoing, but also confirmed the arrest of four men as well as their release on police bail.

“The case has been referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers for instructions on prosecution. All suspects have been given police bail,” he said in a brief update on the case.

On April 25, Sazalee said the rally that afternoon was carried out peacefully and safely, noting that there were no injuries despite a slight disturbance when the fireworks were set off.

He had said the police would investigate claims that the fireworks were lit by those who wanted to sabotage the rally, and would try to trace who had set them off.

Sazalee had confirmed that the police found a bag of unlit fireworks near the scene of the incident, also saying that the fireworks were the type normally set off for festive celebrations.

During the rally, hundreds of protesters marched from Sogo to Jalan Tun Perak, which is near Dataran Merdeka.

Earlier today, the rally’s organiser — the “#TangkapAzamBaki” secretariat — issued a statement to say that their representatives had lodged several police reports on April 26 on the fireworks incident.

Describing the fireworks incident as a “provocation” during the rally, the secretariat urged the police to disclose the outcome of the latter’s investigations, as there has been no official updates yet.

“We view this matter seriously as such an act of provocation could endanger participants of the rally and is an attempt to spark chaos to shift attention from the public’s main demands regarding issues of integrity and national corruption,” the secretariat said.

While noting that today was Tan Sri Azam Baki’s last day in office as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief, the secretariat said the issue raised is larger than an individual and pressed for institutional reform, adding that the public wants an MACC that is truly independent, transparent and not controlled by anyone.

The secretariat repeated its key demands for a comprehensive reform on the MACC, the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) in relation to the alleged corporate mafia, and a guarantee of the public’s right to assembly and speech without interference or intimidation.