Activist re-arrested by Johor police

Activist Ali Abd Jalil was re-arrested today almost immediately after being freed. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 27, 2014.

The ordeal of activist Ali Abd Jalil shows no sign of letting up as he was re-arrested by police almost immediately after being freed today in Johor.

Ali's lawyer New Sin Yew told The Malaysian Insider that his client was  picked up by Nusajaya police to assist sedition investigations.

"Ali was arrested by the police and immediately taken before a magistrate, who granted a three-day remand order to police," New said in a text message.

New had expressed concern yesterday that Ali could be re-arrested after 19 days in detention following police reports against Ali in Nusajaya.

Today he described Ali's rearrest as an abuse of police power and a disgrace to the Malaysian criminal justice system.

"The roadshow continues and there is no indication how many more times Ali will be subjected to this," New said.

The Malaysian Insider reported yesterday that a magistrate had ordered Ali to be released at 12.30pm today.

However, there were already fears that Ali's freedom would be short-lived as he would be rearrested by the police.

New had previously expressed anger over the manner in which Ali had been treated, saying his client had been detained longer than a murder suspect.

Ali was re-arrested on Tuesday just after he was released on a bail of RM8,000 at the Shah Alam court complex.

He was taken to Johor, a move which New called a "roadshow" to intimidate Ali.

"This entire roadshow process which my client has been subjected to by the police is just wrong," New told The Malaysian Insider.

He said Ali had spent a total of 19 days in police custody, alternating between Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor.

He said Ali had spent more time in police custody than a murder suspect, who can be held up to 14 days before police have to release or prosecute him.

"But if you are accused of posting something on Facebook, then you end up being detained longer than a murder suspect," New said.

New met his client in Johor Baru yesterday for about 30 minutes, as Ali was brought before the magistrate who granted police a one-day remand extension.

New said the sedition saga surrounding Ali made it appear as if Malaysia was in the 17th century instead of 2014.

“The whole saga highlights how ridiculous the Sedition Act 1948 is, as it appears to be a crime for people to express their thoughts.”

On Tuesday, The Malaysian Insider reported that Ali, who had been held at the Sungai Buloh prison on remand after being charged with sedition, had alleged that he was assaulted by a prison official.

The incident reportedly occurred on the first night of his detention on September 8.

It is understood that a police report was lodged by his older brother at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail police station last Saturday.

Ali also said another warden had threatened to get the other prisoners to beat him up.

The activist with the Anything But Umno (ABU) movement is accused of posting seditious remarks on a Facebook page called "Kapitalis Bangsat" through three separate comments, allegedly belittling the Johor sultanate and calling for it to be abolished.

- TMI