Courtesy FMT News

Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay says those who sympathise with LTTE are entitled to their opinion but warns that action will be taken if they help the group.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman’s counter-terrorism chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has rejected the notion that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) whose sympathisers were arrested yesterday is fighting for human rights, saying the defunct Sri Lankan rebel group has been classified a terrorist organisation by Malaysia.

This comes after DAP leaders such as Charles Santiago and P Ramasamy questioned the police over the arrest of seven people, including two DAP assemblymen, on accusations of supporting and promoting the Tamil Tigers, the group which was involved in a decades-old armed rebellion to break away from Sri Lanka.

Ayob said LTTE has been labelled a terrorist organisation under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, or Amla.

He said those who disagree with the label are entitled to their opinion.

If he (Santiago) wants to say that LTTE is not a terrorist organisation, that is his personal opinion.

But if you promote or support LTTE, we will take action,” he told reporters today.

Among those arrested yesterday were DAP’s Gadek assemblyman G Saminathan, who is also a Melaka state executive councillor, and Seremban Jaya assemblyman P Gunasekaren.

Police said both had attended an event to pay tribute to LTTE fighters, held annually in November by sympathisers of the group.

FMT understands that more arrests are expected in the coming days.

Police earlier said they are also investigating Ramasamy, who is a Penang deputy chief minister, over reports linking him to LTTE.

Yesterday, Ramasamy said he was prepared to be taken in.

If they want to, go ahead. I am not a fugitive seeking asylum in this country,” he said with a laugh.

Ayob today declined to state whether Ramasamy would be arrested.

Wait and see. If there is enough evidence, we will,” he said.