“The Bersih convoy has been going on since last year. Why do you want to investigate now?
“Is it because of the election that you (the police) want to be seen as doing your work?
“Such harassment is outrageous,” she told FMT today.
Earlier this morning, Bersih secretariat manager Mandeep Singh, its advocacy and education coordinator Zoe Randhawa and its outreach coordinator Chan Tsu Chong were summoned by the police over their involvement in a candlelight vigil held in solidarity with Maria, who was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) last November.
According to the police notice dated May 4, 2017, they are being investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Sabah Bersih vice-chair Beverly Joeman was also called for investigation over a Bersih convoy in Sabah last year.
Maria was arrested on Nov 18, less than 24 hours before the Bersih 5 rally in Kuala Lumpur. She was detained under Sosma to facilitate investigations under Section 124C of the Penal Code for attempting an act detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
Bersih held vigils on a daily basis until she was released on Nov 28. The gatherings saw crowds holding candles as well as placards condemning detention without trial.
Authorities had also asked Maria to address allegations that her group was funded by hedge fund billionaire George Soros.
She told FMT at the time that the electoral watchdog had not received any such form of funding since 2011 and that it had been relying on public donations ever since.
“Last time, they (the authorities) accused Bersih of taking RM3.2 million in funds from billionaire George Soros, and until now, they have not provided any proof of that,” she reiterated today.