Police Slammed For Summoning Anti Graft Rally Participants

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DAP Central Committee member Lee Chin Chen has expressed disappointment over the police’s decision to summon 13 university students to question them about their participation in the anti-corruption rally on Jan 25.
He described the move as a violation of the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
Lee pointed out that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had assured the public before the rally that the government would not obstruct the gathering. Furthermore, Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa stated after the protest that it had proceeded peacefully without any violations.
Lee Chin Chen"Given these two factors, I see no reasonable justification for the police to summon anyone for questioning. Such actions only undermine public trust in the government," Lee said in a statement yesterday.
He added that while the police might claim they are following the procedure, their large-scale summoning of protesters could create a chilling effect, discouraging future assemblies and giving the impression that the government is using its authority to intimidate the public.
He said since the coalition government under Anwar is truly committed to fighting corruption - just like the protesters - then it should support anti-corruption efforts.
The police should cooperate with such initiatives rather than use indirect means to deter protesters, he added.
Lee urged the police to withdraw the questioning immediately and to stop harassing individuals who participated in peaceful demonstrations.
Rally mobilisation coordinator Tobey Qi-Sean told Malaysiakini yesterday he received a call from the police.
“A list of 13 students’ names was given, and we are required to give statements at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters this Sunday at 1pm,” he said.
The “Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah” last Saturday saw around 200 protesters march from the Sogo shopping mall to Dataran Merdeka.
Ahead of the protest, the rally attracted significant attention, with several ministers addressing concerns raised by the organisers over police-imposed requirements.
ADSHome Minister Saifuddin Nasution had dismissed the concerns, while Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil emphasised that the legal requirements for holding a rally were clearly outlined under the law.
A day before the rally, Anwar stated he had no objection to the protest.
Tobey said two of the 13 students are from Universiti Malaysia Sabah and are required to provide their statements at the Kepayan district police headquarters in Kota Kinabalu on Friday, Feb 7.
When contacted, Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affend Sulaiman confirmed the case and stated it is being investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
“We are calling them in to record their statements and complete the investigation,” he said briefly.
‘Probe Sabah reps instead’
Independent youth group Mandiri also condemned the authorities for summoning 13 individuals, emphasising that peaceful assembly is not a crime.
In a statement, its director and activist Wong Kueng Hui questioned why those advocating for justice were being investigated instead of individuals implicated in corruption scandals.
"Why are those who raise the people's voices being questioned? The real investigations should focus on those involved in corruption - probe the Sabah assemblyperson linked to scandals, investigate the mismanagement within the government."
He also criticised the government’s approach to reform, questioning whether Anwar had forgotten his own history of street protests in the fight for justice.
Wong Kueng Hui"What does reform mean if, under the Madani government, activists and students are still being summoned for questioning simply for gathering peacefully?
"What does reform mean if every time the people speak out, the Federal Reserve Unit is deployed to intimidate them?" Wong asked.
He urged the government not to repeat the mistakes of past administrations by suppressing public voices, reminding them that freedom of expression is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
He called for an immediate end to the investigation, stressing that activists are not criminals and that peaceful protests should never be treated as crimes. - Mkini

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