KUALA LUMPUR – The calls to take to the streets for the #TangkapAzamBaki rally tomorrow rang loud at a hall above Restoran Amjal here tonight.
Speaking to a crowd comprising more than 40 individuals, lawyer and PKR member Asheeq Ali said that those intending to protest tomorrow should not be concerned by road and public transportation closures by the police.
He said it is peculiar that the police are now concerned with Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), but did not regulate gatherings during official government events.
The SOPs say we can’t gather, but the government could hold their Program Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia. Where were the police department’s concerns for Covid-19 then?
“Don’t be scared, let’s take to the streets tomorrow,” Asheeq said.
Tomorrow, the #TangkapAzamBaki protest was expected to take place in Sogo.
However, due to road closures in the area, it is understood the protest will take place at the Bangsar LRT station instead.
The rally is to call for Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki’s arrest over controversies surrounding his ownership of shares.
Commenting on the matter, Asheeq suggested that there has to be a focus on the source of funds used by Azam to purchase those shares.
“There are no investigations at all over the source of funds that Azam used to purchase the shares.
“Instead, what happened was it seems everyone buys Azam’s excuse that the shares were purchased on his brother’s behalf,” Asheeq said
Further, officers in MACC released a statement that they believe in Azam’s leadership. That seemed like a statement from a political party.”
Also present was youth activist and PKR member Adam Adli, who was investigated by Dang Wangi police yesterday over his involvement concerning the #TangkapAzamBaki rally.
Adam touched on the police decision to mobilise over 1,000 personnel and impose road closures resulting in a lockdown of Kuala Lumpur, saying that the #TangkapAzamBaki movement has brought authorities fear.
“The issue is not the demonstration, but the fact that youth movements are able to sit together at one table, discuss and reach an agreement.
“The police are mobilising more than 1,000 personnel for a small number of youths taking to streets who are affected by this mismanagement and abuse of power by the government,” Adam said.
There was a significant number of police personnel stationed outside Restoran Amjal, some of whom were in the crowd as plainclothesmen.
Adam said the presence of the police here even before the rally begins tomorrow is something he has not seen in a long time.
“I see many police officers here today. I think this is very different as we have not seen such activities (by the police) in a long time,” Adam added.
Today, various youth activists spoke at a hall above Restoran Amjal in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, during an “Undur Azam Baki (Step Down, Azam Baki)” event ahead of the rally tomorrow. – The Vibes, January 21, 2022
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