HUMAN rights activist Rama Ramanathan was questioned for almost two hours by police at Bukit Aman over an article he wrote in October on the possible abduction of another activist from Sabah, Jufazli Shi Ahmad.

Rama, a spokesman for rights group Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (Caged), was called up by officers from the federal police headquarters over the article which he also shared on social media.

“This was about the article I wrote and published about Jufazli Shi Ahmad and his sister Nurazimah Shi Ahmad.

“I wrote that Jufazli could have been taken away by the cops in the same manner as Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat, if it was not because of his brave sister, Nurazimah,” Rama told The Malaysian Insight outside Bukit Aman before going in for questioning.

Rama added that he was told by police that his investigation was under the Penal Code for intentional insult to provoke a breach of the peace, and the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper use of network facilities or network service.

Rama was accompanied today by his lawyer M. Visvanathan.

A small crowd gathered in solidarity with him, including Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh and Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin.

Rama had also been vocal on the disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat.

Both were likely taken by the police’s Special Branch in a commando-style operation, according to an inquiry by the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

In March, Jufazli was arrested for allegedly criticising Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was later taken to the Dang Wangi police lock-up.

His sister Nurazimah was also arrested for allegedly obstructing the police from detaining her brother without an official warrant of arrest.

Jufazli was accused of criticising the prime minister via Facebook where he lashed out at the 94-year-old leader for abuse of power.

He was remanded for four days from March 16 to 19, and was only allowed to have legal representation on March 20.

Jufazli was released after a court rejected an application from the police to extend his detention.

On October 11, the Kajang magistrates’ court acquitted Jufazli’s sister of allegedly obstructing a police officer from arresting her brother at their apartment.

Magistrate Shahrul Zazly Md Zain said the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Nurazimah because the police had no lawful authority when they carried out their duties.

Rama’s article on his blog said Jufazli was active in criticising politicians and his critique of former Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud had caused him to be fired from one of his jobs.

He is also the founder of Gerakan Anak Musa Selamatkan Sabah (GAMSS) and had criticised Dr Mahathir for being silent about Taib’s corruption.

Meanwhile in a statement, Caged urged Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador to reveal how many officers involved in Jufazli’s case have been investigated.

The group also asked if action had been taken against the officers who used excessive force to detain Jufazli and Nurazimah on March 16. – November 7, 2019.