Muda slams double standards after cops’ swift fines for black flag protest organisers

KUALA LUMPUR – The RM2,000 fine slapped on members of Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) for organising a protest at Dataran Merdeka yesterday is a clear case of double standards compared to action against ministers and other VIPs, said Muda.

The three SSR members, who were fined within 24 hours, are Mohammad Alshatri Abdullah, Mohd Asraf Sharafi Mohd Azhar and Muhammad Nur Taufiq Azhar.

“The police took weeks to issue a compound on the menteri besar of Kedah.

“The police referred (Tan Sri) Annuar Musa’s case to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

“Ministers and politicians can have a durian party without being punished and an election tour during the pandemic,” said Muda in a statement. 

Muda co-founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman tweeted his dissatisfaction regarding the double standard compound, which prompted a response from Federal Territories minister and Ketereh MP Annuar.

Tak betul tu... https://t.co/oLXe73guAA

— Annuar Musa (@AnnuarMusa) July 18, 2021

“Participants of the #KeluardanLawan protest adhered to the health SOPs (standard operating procedures) and spoke out for the people against a failed government.”

Meanwhile,Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has also condemned the call for investigation and compound issued on the three SSR members. 

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said that every Malaysian has the right to exercise their freedom of expression and participate in peaceful assembly, even during the pandemic.

“The recent unprecedented spike in Covid-19 cases has clearly demonstrated that the government has failed in combating the pandemic strategically,” he said.

He added that half-baked lockdowns and confusing government directives from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government has led to an increase in the death toll due to Covid-19, while the Malaysian healthcare system is on the verge of breakdown.

“It is under such (a) political context that the SSR organised a flash mob at Dataran Merdeka on July 17.

“The SOP-adhering mob demanded the resignation of the prime minister, for Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible, and (an) automatic (loan) moratorium for everyone,” Sevan said. 

Suaram said that the compound issued is a form of intimidation against the principles of freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly as enshrined in the federal constitution. – The Vibes, July 18, 2021