IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Maria Chin (pic) was being investigated under Section 124C of the Penal Code, related to acts detrimental to parliamentary democracy. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — The police said today they are investigating Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah for allegedly trying to topple the government and the prime minister through the planned Bersih 5 rally.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the head of the electoral reform group was being investigated under Section 124C of the Penal Code, related to acts detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

“We are also conducting investigations against Maria Chin for wanting to topple the government [and] the prime minister through Bersih 5,” he said today after the Bukit Aman monthly assembly here.

“We are investigating her under Section 124C of the Penal Code.”

Chin recently announced that the Bersih 5 rally will take place on November 5, which will be preceded by a series of roadshows that will begin on October 1 comprising 246 stops around the country.

Bersih is demanding for reforms to become a national agenda, for the parliamentary democracy system to be strengthened, and for the prime minister to step down.

On the rally itself, the IGP said that the police will accommodate their needs as long as the event is conducted in accordance to the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“Don’t think that you are above the law. We have the Peaceful Assembly Act. Ask for the relevant approvals...Get the approval for the venue, and the police will assist you,” he said.

“The law is there to help assemblies run smoothly, so if anyone is breaking the law, we will take action.

“At the same time, don’t make unnecessary comments [like] toppling the prime minister through Bersih 5. This is clearly against the law,” the IGP claimed.