Red-shirts leader Jamal Md Yunos has been remanded for two days, the group’s legal adviser Mohd Imran Tamrin confirmed today.

Imran said the 48-hour remand order came into effect at 8.30am today after Jamal’s arrest at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

“He has been detained for two days to facilitate investigations on the purported Facebook post as well as other incidents which had occurred,” Imran told reporters outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters today.

Jamal is being investigated under Section 500 and 503 of the Penal Code for defamation and criminal intimidation, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act and Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act.

Imran did not discount that Jamal’s statement would also be taken for other incidents including the fracas which had occurred in Sabak Bernam two weeks ago.

Jamal, who will spend the next two days at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, was arrested immediately upon his return to the country.

“He is being taken to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters,” his secretary Durrany Izam earlier told Malaysiakini.

Jamal arrived at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 10.30am in a tinted SUV.

Although he was handcuffed, he managed to wave to journalists who were waiting outside the police station.

Police had previously waited for Jamal’s return from his Dubai trip to record his statement on the clash in Sabak Bernam between the red-shirts and the Bersih 5 convoy.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar also announced that police would investigate the Sungai Besar Umno division chief on a posting vowing that the Bersih 5 rally would see a repeat of the May 13, 1969 race riots.

However, Jamal denied that he was behind the posting, claiming that it was made by a purportedly fake account.

Arrest shows no double standards

Meanwhile, Gerakan Merah leader Mohd Ali Baharom said Jamal’s arrest was proof that there was no double standards when it comes to action taken against the red-shirts or Bersih supporters.

“Jamal's group shouldn’t use violence as though they are street thugs," Ali told Malaysiakini.

“This (Jamal’s arrest) shows that the government is serious in taking action against any citizen who uses violence."

He is however of the opinion that Jamal’s two-day remand order was not sufficient.

“Police should arrest him for a longer time, he should face the law,” said Ali, who is better known as Ali Tinju.

Claiming that Jamal and red-shirts movement secretariat member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah were responsible in “inciting” youngsters to be street thugs, Ali urged police to also arrest Armand.

“Armand has deviated from taking care of the rakyat’s welfare and is hiding behind the Umno Youth exco.

“I hope that Jamal and Armand will no longer use an NGO’s name for their personal interests,” he added.

Meanwhile, asked on his silence as of late, Ali said he was advised to remain so, and that he has also been busy with a soon-to-be launched secretariat, in collaboration with the Kongres NGO Melayu Pro-Kerajaan.

“The red-shirts under me are in no way involved with the recent incidents,” he stressed.

Nevertheless, Ali still wants Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah to cancel the upcoming Bersih 5 rally slated to be held on Nov 19.

“If you are dissatisfied, I invite you to contest for the Bandar Tun Razak (parliamentary seat),” he said.