POLICE have denied calling up Parlimen Digital participants to question them on their political leanings and activities carried out by the youth-led initiative.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador refuted claims by event organisers that several participants have been questioned.

“It should not have been news at all as there’s no issue. I’m shocked that they (organisers) said police called them (participants),” he told reporters in Putrajaya today.

“I checked internally, and no one was called up.”

He urged the organisers and participants to report any act of intimidation.

“I ask for their cooperation to come forward. Do not be afraid (of police).”

The top cop stressed that the force has bigger tasks at hand than to probe into youth-led organisations.

Parlimen Digital, organised by youth groups Challenger Malaysia, Undi 18 and Liga Demokratik Malaysia, last weekend held a mock Dewan Rakyat session, where participants played the role of the House’s 222 members.

Its organisers said six participants were called up by the authorities and questioned about their political leanings.

The event secretariat raised concerns about the manner in which the participants were questioned by police.

“Some were called to police stations for questioning without legal counsel, while some were invited out for casual discussions.”

The initiative aimed to prove that Parliament sittings can be done online, after the May 18 session was shortened to just two hours, covering only the royal address, amid Covid-19 fears.

In a statement yesterday, the Parlimen Digital secretariat said police should contact the organisers directly for clarification rather than harass participants. – July 7, 2020.