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Thursday, Sep 06, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR - Three youths have been nabbed for allegedly stepping on photographs of the Prime Minister during a Merdeka Day eve gathering, while the college student detained over his alleged lewd gesture here has been released.

The three two in Johor Baru have turned themselves in to the police for their part in the gathering at Dataran Merdeka to purportedly reiterate calls to the Government for electoral reforms.

Many participants of the Aug 30 assembly were caught on camera stepping on the pictures of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Some came with flags to allegedly replace the national Jalur Gemilang flag.

The 19-year-old student from Batu Pahat was caught pulling down his pants and showing his rear at an image of the Prime Minister.

He was arrested at a college in Cheras on Tuesday.

City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah said the student was released later that night after police recorded his statement. "So far, we have received 172 police reports on the case.

"We are tracking down at least 10 others who had stepped on the pictures (of the Prime Minister)," SAC Ku told a press conference at the city police headquarters here yesterday.

He urged anyone with information to contact the nearest police station immediately.

Meanwhile, another 19-year-old college student turned himself in at the Dang Wangi station here yesterday afternoon after seeing his photograph in the papers in connection with the incident.

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Thursday, Sep 06, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR - The police have asked organisers of the Aug 30 rally to come forward and have their statements taken over an incident in which participants stepped on images of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

City deputy CID chief Asst Comm Aziz Zakaria said they either turn themselves in by today or a warrant of arrest would be issued against them. They included national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said, Bersih member Maria Chin Abdullah, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, social activist Hishamuddin Rais and PKR vice-president and Batu MP Tian Chua.

Co-chairman of the Preservation of Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang committee Stanley Yong was also called to have his statement recorded.

ACP Aziz Zakaria said police issued the notice under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code for them to give their statements over investigations into events during the gathering at Dataran Merdeka here.

"They have 24 hours to show up or we will take the necessary steps to make them turn up," he said at a press conference at the Dang Wangi police headquarters here yesterday.

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Friday, Sep 07, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR - Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi has criticised those who stepped on a photograph of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, stating that such acts were unacceptable regardless of whose picture was involved.

"We are a civilized society. This should not be allowed to happen. We can have a difference in opinion and political ideology, but we need to respect our country, national flag and leaders," he said after attending an orientation week ceremony for new students at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional here.

Zahid was commenting on the Aug 30 incident when several youths stomped on pictures of Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor during a Merdeka Eve gathering at Dataran Merdeka.

Some even brought alternative flags instead of the national flag. At least three youths have turned themselves in.

Calling it a politically-motivated act, Zahid said the youths were influenced by wrong ideas and blamed the Opposition for their actions.

On DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's accusation that Barisan Nasional practised double standards when it did not take action against Perkasa members who stepped on his portrait, Zahid reminded the Penang Chief Minister that "he too was guilty of such actions".

"Lim Kit Siang and his son Guan Eng have stepped on pictures of Perak assemblyman before," he added.

On the general election, Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, said Barisan was ready should the election be called in November, as rumoured.

"We are ever ready. Maybe some Opposition leaders are getting tired, but we are ready to face them in the political warzone in due course," he said, adding that the Barisan candidates list was with the Prime Minister.