Syed Saddiq Urges Harapan Mps To Condemn Women S March Probe

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Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has called on Pakatan Harapan MPs to speak out against the investigation on Women’s March 2023.
“The first thing to acknowledge is that the Women’s March has been ongoing for a few years, regardless of who was in government. And one of the demands of the march is for women’s equality - something to which I believe many Malaysians adhere. 
“But what I find bizarre is that in this government, there are many ministers, deputy ministers, and MPs who are now in the executive who used to join and protest against the suppression of the march.
“They themselves have been victims of police investigations when it comes to peaceful demonstrations. 
“It really is bizarre that those who supported and joined the march before are now silent and, now that they are in a position of power, are allowing the current organisers to be investigated and have action taken against them,” he told Malaysiakini when met in Parliament today. 
In calling for the reform of the Peaceful Assembly Act, he reminded that Harapan MPs had also been called up by police for questioning after demonstrations outside of Parliament. 
“These are basic reforms, which we must do in the interest of the people,” he said. 
Malaysiakini understands that the organisers and participants of last year’s Women’s March were not investigated under the administration of then prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. 
The gathering in March 2022, comprising 150 people, took the form of a picnic.
Malaysiakini reported last year that police were present at the scene after the picnic and requested details from the organisers for report-making purposes. However, no action was taken. 
Similarly to this year’s march, Women's March 2020 saw 300 participants gathering in front of the Sogo shopping mall before marching to Dataran Merdeka.
When contacted, an organiser from Women’s March 2023 confirmed that the organisers of the 2020 demonstration were investigated. This was when Muhyiddin Yassin was helming the administration.
PAA needs reforms
Meanwhile, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid labelled the probe into this year’s organisers as “disappointing”.
“It is disappointing that it has resorted to this. But I hope that the people involved are being given access (to justice) and are treated fairly and with respect.
“There are many questions as to why actions are being taken in the first place,” she told Malaysiakini. 
Syerleena acknowledged that certain reforms needed to be taken with regard to peaceful demonstrations. 
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul RashidIn the meantime, however, she encouraged Malaysians to continue the conversation and fight for justice. 
“I encourage Malaysians to talk about it, don’t just leave it to community leaders and politicians. 
“People - Malaysians - need to talk about it,” she said.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh told Malaysiakini that she would speak to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the cabinet regarding the probe before providing comments. 
The Women’s March 2023 organising committee said in a statement yesterday that the summoning of seven individuals involved in the rally marks a troubling precedent against democratic action under the newly elected government.
The police are investigating the march for allegedly failing to notify the authorities and for insulting behaviour with intent to provoke.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na'im Mokhtar announced today that the Federal Territories Islamic Department has been instructed to assist the police’s probe into the protest. 
Following the march on Sunday, the opposition Perikatan Nasional also described the demonstration as an illegal LGBT rally and accused the government of promoting the movement. - Mkini

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