PSM leader decries Perak authorities' actions as "disgusting" and "terrorist"

SHAH ALAM – Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) chairman Michael Jayakumar Deveraj has slammed the actions of Perak authorities, likening them to a gangster group and accusing them of behaving like terrorists.

His comments stemmed from an incident that occurred yesterday when authorities from the Ipoh Land and Mines Office (PTG) forcibly pushed activist Chong Yee Shanto to the ground to clear the way for bulldozers and excavators, evicting six farmers in Kanthan, Tambun.

Due to the force applied, Chong had suffered injuries to her nose and mouth, along with broken teeth.

“I mean, are you a government or a gangster group? Yes, you have power as the government, but can't you negotiate first?

“This is not right. Frankly, I’m disgusted. We are going to sue them,” Jeyakumar told Sinar Daily.

On Chong’s condition, the former Sungai Siput MP added that the Computed Tomography Scanners (CT Scan) showed a crack beneath her eye, and one of her teeth was loose.

“The crack will heal by itself. I mean, they (the authorities) were acting like terrorists,” he stressed.

Yesterday, reports emerged that the police arrested three activists from the PSM and a farmer.

PSM said that these four individuals were released at 8pm after their statements were taken.

In addition to Jeyakumar, PSM committee member R. Karthiges, Perak PSM Youth member P. Kesavan, and a farmer identified as Ho Pon Tien were among those arrested.

PSM noted that they have yet to receive a response from Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad's office regarding the activists' demands to halt the eviction.

Meanwhile, Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has called for a prompt investigation into the incident.

They stressed that it is the responsibility of government officials to act with fairness and integrity, condemning the reported violence.