Activists Rafidah Ibrahim and M Mythreyar were summoned by police to provide their statements for allegedly attempting to incite public hatred over the issue of an old surau in Kampung Seri Keramat, Pasir Puteh, Hulu Kinta, Perak.

Zaid said police had opened an investigation paper under Section 4 of the Sedition Act (making seditious statements), Section 505(b) of the Penal Code (making statements likely to cause fear or alarm to the public) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (improper use of network facilities).

Although no charges had been filed against his clients, he said summoning them to the police station for questioning amounted to a restriction of their right to freedom of speech.

“It is my clients’ prerogative … and constitutional right to voice their opinions to defend the rights of a community,” he said when met at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters here.

“What is the point of freedom of expression when they are summoned to explain themselves every time they say something?”

Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) president Annuar Zaini previously said the issue had long been resolved.

In a Malay Mail report, he said the surau was relocated to a new site about 250m from its original location, on land legally endowed to MAIPk.

Ipoh Timor PKR Youth chief Izzuddin Hariz said attempts by certain individuals to revive the issue were irresponsible and aimed at fuelling public resentment against the government.