“Failure to take appropriate remedial steps for this gross mistake would only serve to invalidate the claim by the Inspector-General of Police that the force was always professional, ” said Suaram Executive Director Sevan Doraisamy in a statement.

Suaram was condemning police investigation and questioning of members of the Bar Council, under the Sedition Act 1948, for fulfilling its role in line with the statutory obligations and limitations imposed under the Legal Profession Act 1976.

Once again, added Sevan, the police have decided to spearhead another crackdown against dissent on behalf of the government.

There’s no justification for members of the Bar to be called for questioning and investigated for demanding the resignation of a public official, argued the Suaram official. “The notion that the motion passed by the Bar Council could be construed as seditious was unfathomable and perverse.”

“The police should remember that it’s not their duty to ‘protect’ any public official from criticism.”

The police are investigating the Secretary of the Bar, Karen Cheah Yea Lynn, and other members, Charles Hector Fernandez, Francis Pereira, and Shanmugam a/l Ramasamy. “This can only be interpreted as a malicious attempt to intimidate and silence dissenters,” said Sevan.