Anti Graft Rally Adam Calls On Govt To Give Youth Space To Express Views

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Amid polemics on authorities' ban against this Saturday's anti-graft rally, a deputy minister has called on Putrajaya to respect the youth's right to assemble and express their views.
Adam Adli Abdul Halim said the government should not feel threatened but instead needs to appreciate criticisms against it.
"We should not be scared by the voices and expressions of students. Do not view them as our enemies just because they are not singing us praises.
"We should appreciate their critical views. These youths are building their character and resolution in fighting against corruption in this country, and this is something we should respect. This is the same aspiration Madani has been championing.
"The prime minister himself had said in many of his speeches that he wanted to see the youth fighting for justice and against corruption. Thus, we should give the youth the space to play their role," the deputy youth and sports minister said on X last night.
The Anwar Ibrahim-led federal administration has come under heavy criticism for barring the upcoming rally in Kuala Lumpur.
Police claimed the organiser failed to comply with the requirement under the Peaceful Assembly Act for not having the consent of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil have also defended the authorities’ decision.
Dismissing concerns from the rally organisers on the police directive for it to obtain the premises owner’s permission, Saifuddin questioned whether any public place could be considered ownerless.
The minister futher told the rally organisers that if they were familiar with the requirements, there would not be any arguments for the existence of certain provisions.
However, lawyer New Sin Yew has countered this saying that the law is clear that the square is a public space which DBKL only oversees.
Adding further, Adam, who is also PKR Youth chief, believes the government and authorities can exercise their discretion.
How power changes a person
Several quarters claimed that some Madani ministers are acting hypocritically as they used to champion the right to peaceful assembly before they became part of the government.
With the issue front and centre, Fahmi Fadzil's statement defending the police requirement has also become a subject of ridicule by graphic artist Fahmi Reza.
In a poster he uploaded to X last night, the activist made a collage of photos where he compared the minister's statements before and after he came into power.
One of the photos showed Fahmi Fadzil being part of a rally in Kuala Lumpur on March 7, 2015, defending peaceful rallies as a "hak asasi" (basic right) provided by the Federal Constitution, while the other is on him recently defending the rules of obtaining premises owner’s consent. - Mkini

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