The party said police arrived without prior notice and an Amanah official from the headquarters was called in to Bukit Aman to give a statement.

This comes after Amanah president Mohamad Sabu was questioned for two hours at Bukit Aman yesterday over a video in which he announced a series of flash mobs to protest price hikes in the country.

“We condemn the act of intimidation that continues to be carried out by today’s Barisan Nasional/Perikatan Nasional government, although the issue we are fighting for – the increase in the prices of goods – is for the public’s benefit,” said Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda, a lawyer with Amanah’s legal bureau.

“We will give our full cooperation to the police, who (I) believe are only carrying out instructions.”

He added that the government should focus on crippling cooking oil smuggling syndicates and other crimes closely linked to the rising price of goods instead of “stifling and silencing” the public’s concerns.

On July 16, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani warned the people against participating in “illegal” flash mobs to protest against the rising prices of goods, saying that “stern action” would be taken against participants.

He said such events were deemed illegal assemblies because they were organised without police permission.

On July 1, Amanah led a protest at Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, against the rising prices of goods – with at least 10 of the party’s representatives summoned by police to give their statements.

They were investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act for failing to give prior notice of the rally to the authorities.

Mohamad’s lawyer, Faiz Fadzil, said yesterday the Amanah president was investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for allegedly publishing or circulating a statement with the intent to cause fear or alarm in the public, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) for allegedly abusing network facilities.