PENANG Pakatan Harapan women leaders today said they do not believe the police’s explanation on why they called up Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali for questioning.

The 91-year-old, who is the wife of PH chairman and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had her statement taken last week to help an investigation into the Purple Walk, a gathering of women united against the state of Malaysian politics on September 10, 2017 that was held without notice. 

Police said she was not interrogated and her statement was recorded professionally. She was also treated with respect, they said.  

But DAP Wanita national assistant publicity secretary Syerleena Abdul Rashid said calling Dr Siti Hasmah had been unnecessary.

“Most of us are still suspicious over their true intentions.

“Regardless of the situation, the fact remains: bringing in Dr Siti Hasmah was a blatant act of intimidation,” the Penang Island City councillor said. 

“Selective persecution against the opposition, especially those who have dissenting views and are critical of the Barisan Nasional-led federal government, is nothing new.”

Batu Kawan MP P. Kasthuriraani from DAP also said hauling up Dr Siti Hasmah was a scare tactic. 

“It was 127 days since the Purple Walk rally. If she had committed an offence or posed a threat to security, the police would not have waited 127 days,” she said

The MP said Dr Siti Hasmah would not be the last woman to be questioned by the police as the 14th general election drew closer. 

“We can expect politicians and activists to be called up one by one,” she said. 

At the Purple Walk rally, Dr Siti Hasmah had given a short speech while standing on top the back of a pick-up truck to some 1,000 women dressed in purple who marched from the Maju Junction shopping mall to Pertama Complex in the city centre.

She urged the women to oppose “toxic politics”, including injustice against women, political violence, the use of threats, racism, sexism, hate speech, abuse of the law and disregard for the federal constitution. 

Kasthuriraani said in this case, the people’s right to assemble was also not respected. 

“We gathered to oppose this very kind of scare tactics that day.”

She said the police had shown efficiency and swiftness in investigating some cases, like the murder of the North Korean Kim Jong-nam and Facebook postings that were offensive to the prime minister. 

But in cases like threats and insults against opposition politicians and social activists, like the ISIS-style death threats against Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah and her sons two years ago, the police had found no leads, she said. 

“We don’t see such efficiency in bringing in those responsible for toxic politics.”

Syerleena also said, no action had been taken against the kleptocracts, and those responsible for the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) “mother of all scandals Malaysia has seen” and businessman Jho Low who had been linked to the scandal. 

“When comparing all of the above to a rally, which only sought to highlight the gross injustices women face and the need to obliterate toxic politics, surely, the authorities can easily recognise the greater of two evils,” she said. 

Syerleena and Kasthuriraani were among Penang PH Wanita leaders who voiced support for Dr Siti Hasmah during a press conference at the state DAP headquarters. 

Penang Bersatu Women (Srikandi) chief Marshidaliza Marzukisaid Dr Siti Hasmah was a mother figure to Bersatu members.

“She is not a politician. She never took part in politics in the 22 years Dr Mahathir was prime minister. 

“Dr Siti Hasmah merely attended the rally to promote awareness and speak up for women. She did not commit any act of violence.” – January 30, 2018.