Can T Expect Better From This Govt Wan Saiful Says On Rally Arrests

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Bersatu supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan has expressed a lack of faith in the government after members of his party were arrested over the recent “Turun Anwar” rally.
“I don’t think we can expect any better from this government.
“This is a government that was cobbled together from parties with very different agendas by Anwar Ibrahim, who was willing to sell his soul just to become prime minister.
“How can we expect anything else from this government?” the Tasek Gelugor MP told Malaysiakini.
On July 29, police arrested Perak Bersatu Youth organising secretary Furqan Hakimi and Bersatu member Syafiq Aziz over the rally.
The day before, police arrested Bersatu division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, after a police report was lodged against him in relation to the gathering.
Turun Anwar rally on July 26, 2025Badrul’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid Ali, said an investigation paper was opened under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act for insulting behaviour and Section 504 of the Penal Code on intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace.
The probe was also said to involve Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act covering the misuse of communication networks and Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, which punishes the utterance of seditious words.
Commenting further, Wan Saiful called the arrests “completely unnecessary”.
He said the arrests of Bersatu members confirm the perception that the Madani government does not uphold constitutional rights to freedom of speech and assembly.
“Anwar is turning Malaysia into a draconian state. But this is expected from him because he is the type of person who would do anything to stay in power,” Wan Saiful added.
Court decision on Peaceful Assembly Act
Speaking on this, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said the government, under Anwar’s leadership, has demonstrated a growing passion to silence dissent.
In a statement, he insisted that the rally was allowed to proceed by the court, bypassing any need for Anwar’s approval.
He was referring to a July 1 Federal Court decision that a section of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, which criminalised not giving notice of assemblies to the authorities, was unconstitutional.
Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail AzizTun Faisal claimed that Anwar did not respect the court’s decision, pointing to police roadblocks, the dismantling of a stage by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), and the use of the media to “disparage” the rally.
“Before, the PAA had allowed people to gather only by giving notice to the police.
“However, this was also not respected by the Madani government when it prevented these gatherings on the grounds that they were illegal gatherings and did not have permission from the police and local authorities,” he told Malaysiakini.
Suggestion for public debates
Hulu Langat Bersatu information chief Shafiq Abdul Halim told Malaysiakini that Anwar’s approach as a national leader marks a stark contrast to his earlier days as an activist and opposition leader.
“Once known as a vocal critic of outdated and elitist systems, he is now increasingly perceived as the architect of an authoritarian style of governance that suppresses the people,” he said.
Shafiq called for the government to open up more avenues for discussion with critics.
One suggestion was for the government to hold public debates, which would provide transparent democratic platforms for the public to evaluate policies, national direction, and the overall governance process.
“This would be consistent with past practices, where Anwar openly challenged (former prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak to a public debate on national policy matters in 2022, and previously engaged in a televised debate with former minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek in 2008 on the issue of fuel price hikes.
“However, since assuming office, such open discourse appears to be limited solely to the Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament, without broader initiatives to engage in public dialogue or debate with stakeholders and civil society,” he said.
PM Anwar IbrahimOn July 29, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail said investigations were underway regarding an incident during the “Turun Anwar” rally, where several individuals were seen caning an effigy resembling Anwar.
While Khalid did not mention the identity of the persons, Rafique confirmed that Badrul was arrested in connection with the incident.
Amnesty International said the arrests expose a “chilling reality” where even if protests are carried out peacefully, the state will continue to use outdated laws to discourage dissent and intimidate protesters. - Mkini

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