MARIA Chin Abdullah, who was detained for 11 days under a tough anti-terrorist law last year, was today cleared of any wrongdoing by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Police this evening returned 10 laptops, two mobile phones and documents which they had seized from the Bersih 2.0 office on November 18 last year after they arrested Maria for allegedly attempting to commit activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

The electoral watchdog chairman was arrested less than 24 hours before the Bersih 5 rally in Kuala Lumpur, which saw thousands of Malaysians taking to the streets. 

She was subsequently detained for 11 days under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) before her release.

“One year and four days after my detention, they have now cleared me,” Maria said in a statement today.

“Interestingly, I was made to understand by police that the return of the confiscated materials was on the orders of the attorney-general.”

She said police today also told her that all investigations against her and Bersih are now closed.

Maria said the allegations against the Bersih coalition and other civil society groups that they were national security threats were also proven false.

“This is proof that my detention under Sosma was utterly baseless and was done to intimidate me, my family and Malaysians who love peace, democracy and justice,” she said.

Maria, 60, was held in solitary confinement in a windowless cell, 4.6m by 2.4m, where the lights remained on 24 hours, she had said after her release.

Sosma allows for detention for 28 days without trial.

“I would like to stress that Bersih will never bow to any form of intimidation and will remain committed to its struggles.

“We need not fear, for we are on the side of truth. The Malaysian people must stand up for what is right and fight against cheating, which have given certain parties an advantage.

“I urge all those who have yet to register as (electoral) observers to do so now, and join the Bersih in its struggle at www.pemantau.org/daftar/, at the next elections.”

The general election must be held by next August. – November 21, 2017.