The Magistrate’s Court issued an order today for the police to detain Datuk Azwanddin Hamzah for four days beginning today.
About 20 people showed up at the entrance of the courthouse this morning in support of Azwanddin.
The Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) president was arrested over alleged remarks on Sunday that called for the public to storm a police station in Klang over fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s death.
Azwanddin was detained at 2.40pm yesterday at Kompleks Keramat Mall in Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.
He is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code which deals with criminal intimidation, as well as Section 504 for insulting a person.
He is held at a lockup in Shah Alam and is investigated at the Klang Utara district police headquarters (IPD).
Shortly before his arrest, Azwanddin posted a defiant statement on his Facebook page saying he will not be silenced for speaking his mind in demanding action over the death of firefighter Adib who was mobbed during a riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple in Subang Jaya on November 27.
Azwanddin again told the government to take responsibility for the remarks of its leaders.
He then told his supporters not to be afraid, even saying they can be “rude” to “teach” DAP, whom he branded as extremists, a lesson.
“For decades, the Malays and Muslims have been patient and silent even though our race and religion have been repeatedly insulted, our clerics denigrated, and our leaders slandered.
“I will continue to be vocal and firm in Adib’s issue and I will continue to warn the government to take immediate action against the pariya murti,” he said, using the derogatory term that also means “pariah” in reference to National Unity and Social Wellbeing Minister P Waythamoorthy.
Azwanddin said he is not bothered by individuals who disagree with view, adding that he is confident there are more Malays and Muslims who share his belief in fighting for Malay-Muslim interests.
“I am not doing this for my personal interest. I am aware that it comes with high risk to myself and my family but this is a fight for our race and religion to be asserted by the future generation.
“We should not be afraid if we are truthful in fighting for our race and religion that has now been relegated to mere occupants in their own homeland,” he said.
Following Azwanddin’s fiery remarks during the rally on Sunday, another pro-Malay group calling itself Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia dropped him from its endorsed list of speakers.
Azwanddin has also been hit with a legal warning letter for allegedly defaming Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, a DAP leader.
Lawyer Sankara Nair representing Kok confirmed a letter of demand for a public apology was sent to Azwanddin and JMM yesterday.
“The statement painted her as a racist person and had abused her powers as Cabinet minister,” the letter said.
In the letter, Azwanddin was told to apologise in public within seven days and retract his statement made during the rally for attempting to link Kok to the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple riot.
Azwanddin reportedly claimed Kok had links to the developer which currently owns the land that the temple sits on.
Kok is also seeking RM30 million in reputation damages from Azwanddin.
Earlier report: Dec 26, JMM President Probed for Criminal Intimidation over Inflammatory Threat