POLICE are not out to curb the freedom of expression by clamping down on assemblies but the public must obey the law, said the force.

Commenting on the calls for the authorities to allow demonstrations in view of the current political situation, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said police are not interested to curb the freedom of expression.

“Carry on, but follow the law,” Hamid said at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman today.

“You are free to express, to have freedom of speech but don’t say anything seditious.”

The IGP, however, urged those taking part in assemblies and demonstrations to have a thought for the wellbeing of the public.

Hamid added the police are investigating lawyer and social activist Ambiga Sreenevasan and Marina Mahathir for their involvement in a gathering yesterday where they had allegedly expressed disapproval over Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister.

“We got wind of it (yesterday’s demonstration) and police reports have been lodged,” he said, adding that those reports are being investigated.

Police had also launched a sedition probe into lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri for an earlier gathering at Dataran Merdeka to protest Muhyiddin’s appointment.

Fadiah had organised a peaceful protest on Saturday against the power grab that triggered the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government.

She tried to rally support for the gathering on Twitter, urging the public to protest against the “death of democracy” and the politicians who schemed to form an illegitimate government through the “backdoor”.

She is expected at Bukit Aman tomorrow to give her statement. – March 2, 2020.