DAP has been informed that no more party leaders would be arrested for alleged links to the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), said party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

He said police have also told him that they would conduct a speedy investigation into the two DAP assemblymen who were arrested this morning.

“I was informed that while more people will be arrested for alleged links to LTTE, no more leaders or wakil rakyat from DAP will be targeted,” Lim said in a statement today.

“The police also claimed to have concrete proof to make such arrests and had referred to the relevant authorities at the highest levels before taking action.”

He said a speedy probe would enable the investigation papers to be quickly handed over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the two DAP members to be released early.

Malacca exco member and Gadek assemblyman G. Saminathan and Seremban Jaya assemblyman P. Gunasekaran, both of DAP, were arrested this morning, along with five other suspects.

They are held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act which allows for 28 days of detention.

Lim said the party believes in the innocence of its two members.

“Their involvement in the DAP so far has shown no indication that the two were involved in any activities that departed from the party’s stand of moderation, non-violence and peaceful resolution.

“The arrests are shocking and I have informed the authorities that the party stands firmly behind our two state legislators.”

DAP would also provide the duo with a legal team led by Bukit Glugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and Jelutong MP RSN Rayer.

“I have also asked DAP national vice-chair M. Kulasegaran to represent the party in liaising with the relevant authorities, our legislators and family members.”

Earlier today, federal police counter-terrorism division chief Ayub Khan Mydin Pitchai said the seven men were arrested in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Perak and Kedah, between 9am and 2pm.

 “They have plans to revive the movement. They have also promoted the activities of LTTE,” Ayub said of the seven detainees, in a press conference in Bukit Aman.

“The two elected reps were arrested for giving speeches during an LTTE Heroes Day in Malacca on November 28 last year. They were also involved in activities to promote the movement.”

He added that two of the seven detainees had been charged with assaulting the Sri Lankan ambassador at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in September 2016.

One of them is also accused of planning with another person, who is still at large, to attack the Sri Lankan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, he said.

Ayub warned that the police would arrest anyone connected to the banned movement, even if they held senior political positions.

He said this when asked if a certain leader in Penang would also be arrested for having LTTE connections.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy is known to be a supporter of the LTTE cause.

“We will arrest anyone, including political leaders, if they are found to be supporting terrorist groups,” Ayub said. – October 10, 2019.