At a press conference at the Pusat Komas office here today, representatives from Bersih, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), among others, said the investigation appeared aimed at intimidating critics.

Bersih chairman Faisal Abdul Aziz said police had asked those summoned 80 questions, including their sources of information, funding and links between individuals and organisations.

He said the authorities appeared to be trying to link them to an alleged effort to topple the government, even though their criticism was aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and preventing corruption.

“It’s clearly a serious attempt to silence people who criticise the government,” he said.

Their joint statement was supported by 49 NGOs and 30 people, including academics, lawyers, activists and political figures.

On Saturday, Utusan Malaysia reported Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar as saying statements had been taken from 14 witnesses to assist investigations under Section 124B of the Penal Code.

Under this section, activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

CIJ executive director Wathshlah Naidu said the use of the section marked a “worrying escalation” from the previous reliance by police on laws such as Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities and the Sedition Act.

C4 executive director Pushpan Murugiah, who was also summoned, said the questioning had created fear among activists and academics.

“If C4 is examining anti-corruption and governance issues, how can efforts to demand better accountability be seen as detrimental to democracy?”

The NGOs also called on police to clarify the scope of the investigations.