DR Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali is being investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act over a speech on women against toxic politics at the Purple Walk four months ago, said her lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla today.

She was questioned by police at her husband, opposition leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s office in Yayasan al-Bukhary in Kuala Lumpur about 11.45am today, her daughter, Marina Mahathir tweeted.

Haniff, who is also Dr Mahathir’s lawyer, said what transpired on September 10 was a peaceful assembly for women rights.

“Why is there a need for the police to come and take her statement?

“Legally, there is no need for the police to come and take the statement of anybody. There is a video (below) of the rally and they can look at it.

“If there is proof, take it to court, do not waste the time of a statesperson who is 91 years old,” he said at the foundation’s office in Jalan Perdana.

At 11.45am, two police officers from Bukit Aman arrived to take Dr Siti Hasmah’s statement about the rally on injustice against women, violence in politics and toxic politics.

She was questioned for more than an hour. Police left the premises at 12.40pm just before Friday prayers.

Police asked Dr Siti Hasmah 12 questions pertaining to her speech at the rally.

Dr Siti Hasmah is being questioned under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act states that an organiser must notify the police 10 days prior to holding an assembly.

Haniff said Dr Siti Hasmah answered all the questions to the best of her abilities.

“The questions were all directed at the rally. However, she declined to answer some questions and said that she will answer them in court if needed.

“The key point here is that this event had taken place four months ago and why is she now (being questioned).

“I leave it to the people to answer where are we heading to, with this sort of situation.”

Dr Siti Hasmah was questioned based on one police report made on the same day of the rally, he said.

He added that Dr Mahathir, who is Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu chairman, had his statement recorded four times in the span of two years, and now the authorities are targeting his wife.

“If you look at the trend now, the government is trying to do these sort of things and they are trying to frighten the common folk.” – January 26, 2018.