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| 20010310 JB arrests |
| Saturday March 10 Five arrested in Johor Bahru while delivering protest memo Zakiah Koya 3:09pm, Sat: Four Barisan Alternatif leaders and a community representative were arrested by the police when they tried to hand over a memorandum protesting the increase in assessment tax (cukai pintu) in Johor Bahru. The four opposition members are Parti Rakyat Malaysia vice-president Abdul Razak Ahmad, who also chairs the party’s Johor branch, Johor DAP publicity secretary Dr Boo Cheng How, Gelang Patah Keadilan chief Zainal Abidin and a PAS member who has yet to be ascertained. They were arrested while leading a group of 40 supporters to present a memorandum to the Central Johor Bahru District Council in Skudai at about 11am. PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali said they are now being held at the Skudai police station and will be investigated under Section 112 on the charge of illegal assembly. Urging for the release of all those arrested as soon as possible, he said, “PRM strongly objects to the arrest of the five leaders from alternative parties as well as the community.” With regard to the memo, he said although the assessment rate has not been increased, the raise in assessment of property has resulted in a hike of up to 100 percent in total tax. PRM central committee member Mohd Salleh Ahmad said the memorandum also called for the election of council members via the ballot box. |
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