KUALA LUMPUR: Police today arrested former Umno member Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan on suspicion of having committed activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy, an offence under the Penal Code.
Khairuddin, who was sacked from Umno after he was declared a bankrupt, was picked up at his house yesterday evening and was taken to the Dang Wangi police headquarters for questioning.
It is understood his property was also auctioned off after he was declared bankrupt, but he was later bailed out by a notable figure.
He was supposed to report to the Bukit Aman this Monday for his statement to be recorded regarding his recent action in sending documents on the RM42 billion 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) matter to the Attorney-General of Switzerland.
He had tried to leave the country through KLIA yesterday morning by taking a 10.30am flight to London. However, he and his lawyer, Matthias Chang, were barred by Immigration from leaving the country.
“We were blacklisted by Immigration on the advice of the police,” Khairuddin said on his Facebook posting.
Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commission Zainol Samah, however, said he did not have details of the arrest. He said investigations were being conducted by federal police in Bukit Aman.
“The arrest was made by Bukit Aman... they are conducting the investigations,” he said.
Khairuddin was sacked from Umno and lost his position as Batu Kawan division vice chief after being declared a bankrupt in accordance to the party constitution.
Khairuddin also claimed that a meeting with Immigration officers at the department’s offices proved fruitless as all he and Chang were told was they were not allowed to travel due to a request from Bukit Aman.
Chang confirmed the arrest. "Yes, he was picked up from his house in Mont Kiara. He is being taken to Dang Wangi," Chang told The Malaysian Insider.
Khairuddin is currently being held overnight at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, Chang said. There will be a remand hearing at 9.30am at the station tomorrow, in front of a magistrate.
The portal said Khairuddin was being investigated for attempt to commit activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy, a charge under the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Selangor Mentri Besar and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali is being investigated for a speech he made during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign and for wearing the yellow Bersih 4 T-shirt, which was deemed illegal.
He was called to have his statement recorded at the Dang Wangi police headquarters yesterday and was accompanied by former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga and his lawyers, Latheefa Koya and N. Surendran.
Azmin is being investigated under sections 4(2)(f) and 4(1)(c) of the Peaceful Assemblies Act 2012 for organising and participating in an unlawful assembly and section 8 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 for wearing the banned T-shirt.