Siti and cops hold joint press conference

PETALING JAYA: Lawyer activist Siti Kasim and the police amicably showed up together for a press conference after a dramatic 12 hours that saw Siti spending a night in police custody.

Siti and Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof held the joint press conference at the Kajang police headquarters after her remand order was rejected by the magistrate’s court yesterday.

This press conference is on the heels of the now viral video that showed the lawyer being arrested by the police for obstructing a public officer on duty.

Despite strong words being uttered in the video, the situation was more calm at the police headquarters yesterday afternoon as both Siti and ACP Ahmad Dzaffir shook hands in front of gathered journalists.

“I thank the court for rejecting the remand. I would like to emphasise that what I did, I did as a lawyer on duty.

“I will cooperate fully with the police to solve this issue. We are going to work together because they are many things behind this (case),” she said.

She also said that she sympathised with the police.

“I do feel for them because sometimes you cannot get the whole story yet. And I think the reason why the court rejected the remand was because (of) seeing the true picture of the story.

“They (the police) are only aware of the incident in Hospital Kajang. Because there is a police report stating that I took her (the client) out so they felt like they had to take action. They are doing their investigations. It is okay, no problem. It is just that I had to spend one night in the lock-up,” she added.

Siti, responding to questions, admitted that she would be fierce when the situation called for it.

“I do not suffer fools gladly,” she said.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof said that his man had explained to Siti the reasons behind the investigation and arrest.

“Offences under Section 363 (kidnapping) and 186 (obstructing) of the Penal Code are arrestable offences. Regarding the video I would like to state that we acted without favouring any party, and did so within the law,” he reiterated to the press.

At the end of the press conference Siti shook hands with the police officer who ordered her arrest, telling him that she was just saying what she believed was her right.

“I have nothing personal against the police. That is why I give chocolates to you all,” she quipped as she patted the officer’s shoulder.