SHAH ALAM: Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu, who was arrested on Wednesday afternoon over a 2007 case for obstructing MPSJ officials from carrying out their duty, claimed there were elements of hidden motives behind his arrest.
"The whole incident was peculiar because the case has been a year now," he said.
Liu said he was detained about 1.50pm by a group of police officers at the state secretariat building lobby after returning from a solid waste management seminar in Kuala Lumpur for state executive councillor meeting at 2pm.
The police officers, about eight of them, some in plain clothes and some in uniforms, came with a warrant of arrest and wanted to take him back to Puchong police station, he said.
Liu said he was denied from attending exco meeting and forced to follow the police officers.
He was then told to get a bailor right after arriving at the police station and asked to be present at Petaling Jaya Magistrate's Court on Monday. He was released in less than 15 minutes.
"If you remember I have filed a defamation suit against (Datuk Seri Dr) Khir Toyo for implying that I was immoral and involved in vice activities.
"I want to emphasise again that I did not obstruct MPSJ or the police's duty, I was only there to help a few people who were asked to leave the hotel," he told a press conference after state executive meeting on Wednesday.
Liu said he was at the hotel, which was in the process of being sealed, to help the hotel's guests to claim back their personal belongings.
He said there was some argument during the process and he was arrested then.
"I'm not satisfied with the whole incident because they did not have to use such rough method.
"If they need to get me for their investigations, they just have to call and I'll come. There is not need to arrest me at my office," he said.
Liu said he had appointed a lawyer and was ready to face the charge with an open mind.
He also claimed that he was treated unfairly as he was given less than one week to appoint a lawyer and prepare for the case.
"With this, you can't blame me from thinking that there was something behind the case including a political agenda," he said.
Meanwhile, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said government could use its power but it must be done in a proper manner as Liu was an executive councilor.
Khalid said he did not feel Liu would do something against public interest and he had come to the exco meeting right after he was released.
On , Nov 4 last year, it was reported that Liu, who was also a DAP central committee member, was arrested and held for a day for allegedly obstructing police enforcement officers from sealing a budget hotel in Puchong Jaya.
Star Online
12/11/08
PEOPLE'S POWER
No comments:
Post a Comment