Event Summary
On 10 March 2026, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) summoned Pushpan Murugiah, CEO of the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), for a statement regarding an alleged plot to destabilise the Malaysian government. The investigation is being conducted under Section 124B of the Penal Code (activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy). The day before, two D5 police officers served a Section 111 notice at the C4 Center office.
The probe originates from a police report lodged at the Brickfields District Police Headquarters, alleging a coordinated effort by a prominent family with ties to the late former Finance Minister, Tun Daim Zainuddin, to topple the administration. This movement purportedly involves hiring a United Kingdom-based lobbying firm and utilising international bankers and media outlets to undermine national institutions until the 2028 General Election. Pushpan’s name was included in an email list of 14 individuals allegedly linked to the movement. To date, three political commentators, two academics, and two other CSO representatives have also been summoned. Among the CSO representatives is a former representative of the electoral reform group BERSIH; both are scheduled to be questioned on 12 March.
The police posed 81 questions to Pushpan. The scope of the investigation extended significantly beyond the specific email list, probing into Pushpan’s background, C4 Center’s funding sources, internal verification protocols governing the organisation’s public statements and whether they were instructed to say or do certain things. There were also questions that referred to “ulasan” (statements) allegedly made by Pushpan, though the police provided no clarification as to the specific content or context of these remarks. The expansive nature of the questioning suggests an attempt to scrutinise and police civil society operations, potentially creating a chilling effect on actors speaking out on issues of public interest.