‘Prepared to defend my innocence’: Tony Pua says likely to be charged over Rukun Negara post

“KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Former Damansara MP Tony Pua said today he is likely to be charged in court over his Facebook post regarding the Rukun Negara, after police recorded an additional statement from him at Bukit Aman this morning. Pua said he was called in for further questioning after the investigation papers were returned by the Attorney General’s Chambers to Bukit Aman for additional questions. “I am fully prepared to defend my innocence, and more importantly, rigourously defend spirit of the Rukun Negara, and the sanctity of the Federal Constitution in Court of Law,” he wrote in a Facebook post. Pua said he attended the 11.30am meeting with his lawyer, Sangeet Kaur Deo, and described the session with the police officers as courteous, cordial and professional. He said the questioning lasted no more than 30 minutes, but noted that his latest statement classified him as a suspect, unlike his previous statement where he was interviewed as a witness. “So it appears that the balance of probabilities have shifted, where I’m likely to be charged in Court within the next couple of weeks,” he added. Pua said the additional questions mostly concerned the definition of the word “decree” and other matters linked to his Facebook post. “My response was that the meaning of the post is per what I wrote, but I’ll be happy to provide additional elaboration if required, in Court,” he said. Pua had previously been called by police over the Facebook post linked to the Rukun Negara and the Federal Constitution, after police reports were lodged against him. In May, police said the case was being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which concerns statements conducing to public mischief, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which covers improper use of network facilities or services.

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