Sathis Kumar and Ong Boon Keong arrested

Perak-born Sathis Kumar, 27, and Ong Boon Keong, 48, were picked up in front of the Gurney Plaza shopping complex in Gurney Drive for demonstration.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't always expect to demonstrate without permit and not be arrested. You can't always break the law and not be prosecuted.

Whether this law is good or bad, no one is above the law. Remember "Kedaulatan Undang-undang" that we learn to recite in school. The police had already "bend the law" or "compromise" with most demonstrators. The police had let you off when you originally demonstrated near Gurney drive roundabout, but you choose to regroup outside Gurney Plaza to demonstrate. What do you expect?

Hindraf co-ordinator R.S. Thanenthiran said that the arrest of the two were uncalled for and unjustified, claiming they were just “passers-by” and were taking photographs for their blogs.

My God!!! Anyone that know Satish Kumar and Ong Boon Keong know that they are never "passer-by". They are activists, especially OBK and should be admired for that. By lying, R.S. Thanenthiran don't do any justice to the cause these activists are fighting for. I believe the greatest protection is "truth" not "lies", if the duo admits to it and apologies, I am quite sure they will be released but if they chose to lie, prosecute them.


Sunday May 11, 2008 MYT 6:26:28 PM
Bloggers detained over Hindraf protests
By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG & M. SIVANANTHA SHARMA

PENANG: A primary schoolteacher and a social activist, both bloggers, have been detained for questioning for taking part in an illegal assembly organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) here.

Perak-born Sathis Kumar, 27, and Ong Boon Keong, 48, were picked up in front of the Gurney Plaza shopping complex in Gurney Drive.

They took part in the assembly on Sunday seeking for detained Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar to be sent to the Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) because of his heart condition.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said he was informed at 11.10am that about 30 people were taking part in an assembly without a permit, an offence under Section 27 of the Police Act, near the Gurney Drive roundabout, and he directed his men to disperse the group.

He said the group initially agreed to disband but tried to gather again in front of the shopping complex about 100m away.

ACP Azam said the police wanted to record the statements from the two men because they were found to be playing an active role in the group and were seen distributing flyers. He added that police also identified several others to assist in investigations.

To allegations that the police did not ask the group to disperse and did not give them a chance to negotiate, ACP Azam replied: “There was nothing to negotiate as the gathering was illegal. And they knew how to disperse.” He advised the group not to take the law into their own hands and not to assume that what they were doing was right.

Hindraf co-ordinator R.S. Thanenthiran said similar gatherings were held simultaneously in Prai, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Johor Baru on Sunday with no untoward incidents.

He said the arrest of the two were uncalled for and unjustified, claiming they were just “passers-by” and were taking photographs for their blogs.

Thanenthiran said demonstrations would be held every Sunday until Uthayakumar is referred to IJN for treatment.

Update:
Malaysiakini, Anti-ISA rally: 7 arrested in Penang
Athi Veeranggan & Rachel Chan Suet Kay, May 11, 08 4:15pm

Seven persons were detained, including a blogger and a woman activist, during a 45-minute anti-Internal Security Act demonstration in George Town, Penang this morning.

Among those were social activist BK Ong (photo) and blogger K Satish Kumar, who were arrested after they took part in the demonstration held at Gurney Drive at about 11.10am.

Meanwhile, rights group Suaram activists Lau Shu Shi and Teh Chun Hong were detained after they lodged police reports at the city police headquarters in Jalan Patani, Georgetown at 2.45pm.

Five were freed on police bail after being held for seven hours. However, Lau and Teh had been remanded and are expected to brought to court to be formally charged tomorrow.

The other three released today were K Sudhagaran Stanley, M Suparamaniam and B Vimal.

Georgetown police chief ACP Azam Abd Hamid said Ong and Satish Kumar were picked up because they were 'active' during the demonstration held by nearly 150 people near the Gurney Drive roundabout at 10am........