TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysian Police on Monday, March 16 arrested Nurul Izzah, Chairwoman of Partai Keadilan Rakyat, for her comments that insulted the Malaysian court of law. Before the parliament, Nurul read her father's statement — Anwar Ibrahim, now imprisoned —questioning Malaysian court independency.
Nurul was charged with Akta Hasutan, a set of law first made by the British Colonial back in 1948. On Tuesday, March 17, as Nurul was released from prison, she gave some remarks in an interview with Tempo.
What was the police's reason for your arrest?
The police did not have a particular reason on my arrest. I was arrested on 07:30 in the morning (Monday, March 16, 2015)), then sent behind bars without any explanation. This morning at 09:30 (Tuesday, March 17, 2015), I was sent home because the police need to find evidence.
What sort of evidence they are looking for?
What do I need to hide? I spoke in public, and it was broadcasted and noted by the parliament. This is the first time since 1978 that a parliament member was arrested for something that she said in the parliament.
The police still found you guilty and arrested you.
With what accusation? They did not need to arrest me as I would not reject if they call on me. I never committed any crimes. I have a clean slate record. There is no reason for me to escape. In fact, parliament member form UMNO, Ismail Sabri, once insulted Chinese people outside the parliament. He remained not arrested until today
Does this arrest has political interest?
This is because (Prime Minister) Najib Tun Razak is politically dazzled. He got panicked as we revealed the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad, State funding institution) scandal, allegedly costing the nation 42 billion ringgit.
So this arrest was made to scare you?
Of course. This is how he retaliates after i reveal the scandal in the country's democracy.
Are you afraid and wish to quit following this arrest?
This arrest is not a reason for me to quit, although my father was arrested last month. Of course, I think of my mother, who will lose not only a husband but also a daughter. I also think about my two children. Nevertheless, I can say that I am grateful that this arrest helps to reveal an indecent plan [in the government]. This is not about Anwar Ibrahim. I said this over and over, this is not because of the opposition. Given that the opposition stance has been demolished, there is no longer a fort to protect the remaining 52 percent of public vote. Therefore, I would like to thank my good friends, be it from Pakatan Rakyat, NGO, or other supporting activists.
QARIS TAJUDDIN
