A group of 35 non-governmental organisations and political parties have urged the attorney-general to drop the charges against social activist Cheng Lee Whee in relation to the demolition exercise in Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah in Johor.

In a joint petition, they said the charges against Cheng amounted to ‘continuous suppression', not only on her, but all groups and individuals fighting for human rights.

"It leaves a black mark on the country's efforts to uphold democracy," read the petition, which was submitted to the AG's office in Putrajaya this morning.

On Oct 16 last year, the residents were evicted and their houses demolished.

Cheng, who is a member of rights group Suaram, was detained overnight after she filed a police report on the incident.

She was later charged under Section 182 of the Penal Code for providing ‘false information' and hearing is slated for Dec 16 this year.

She was also arrested under Section 28 of the Internal Security Act 1960 for spreading false information and making seditious remarks on a police portal.

Large presence of cops unjustified

In the petition, the group asked: "Why was the lodging of a police report by Cheng turned into a criminal case?"

"She was just exercising her democratic rights and fulfilling her duty as a Malaysian. She does not have any bad intentions."

The groups said that the large presence of police personnel during the demolition to aide the developer was not justified.

"It is wrong of the police to deploy a large team to assist developers in forcefully evicting and demolishing houses. It is also wrongful of them to do that as the appellate court had yet to hear the residents' appeal," they added.

According to the petition, more than 500 police personnel, equipped with a water cannon truck, were deployed on the day of the demolition.