Where’s your empathy? Activist asks cops over probe into pro-Ukraine vigil

KUALA LUMPUR – With Malaysia having cast an ostensibly pro-Ukraine vote at the United Nations General Assembly, a local activist has questioned the government’s lack of empathy towards those protesting peacefully here against the Russian invasion.

This follows the hauling in for questioning of Malaysian activist Wong Yan Ke and two Ukrainians at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters yesterday regarding their participation in a candlelight vigil held at Dataran Merdeka on March 5.

In a statement to The Vibes, Wong questioned the investigation of individuals who had merely gathered to show support for Ukraine – a cause which Malaysia has already claimed to stand behind.

“Why is there no empathy shown by our police towards the Ukrainians in Malaysia?

“The entire world has united in showing solidarity with Ukrainians and this includes Malaysia since we had voted in favour of Ukraine at the UN General Assembly.

“The candlelight vigil was motivated by the same sentiments as the UN resolution, so why do the police want to open an investigation?

“Does this mean that Malaysia has changed its official position and will be refraining from adopting the UN resolution?” he asked, calling on the Foreign Affairs Ministry to maintain a consistent stand by stepping in and calling off the police investigations.

The resolution referred to by Wong is intended to be a strong condemnation of Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine, demanding that Moscow stop its attacks and withdraw its military forces – a move aimed at diplomatically isolating Russia at the world body.

“I do not want the Royal Malaysia Police to make international headlines for presenting Malaysia as a nation that is apparently not committed to protecting global peace and security while refusing to facilitate a peaceful gathering,” Wong said.

Besides that, he stressed that while the right to assembly is enshrined in Malaysia’s federal constitution, the Peaceful Assembly Act has been criticised for disallowing spontaneous protest, which thus infringes upon the constitutional right of citizens.

The three are being investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, which mandates a five-day minimum notice to be delivered to authorities prior to any gatherings, and Rule 16 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Regulations 2021.

Along with the above provisions, the two Ukrainians are also facing Section 4(1)(a) of the Peaceful Assembly Act.

While one Ukrainian preferred to have her identity remain anonymous, the other was Lidiya Murugan, president of the Ukrainian Cultural Association in Malaysia.

Speaking to The Vibes, Lidiya said that she will be giving her full cooperation to the police as she has no desire to break the law and rules of “this beautiful and peaceful country.”

“I would like to thank all Malaysians and those from the international community who are standing with us and supporting our desire for freedom to live in a democratic, independent country,” she said, adding that she wished for the war to end soon.

“I will continue to oppose the crimes currently happening in Ukraine as Russian forces have abandoned rules and resorted to the cruel killing of civilians.

“Everyone is wishing for the war to be over in the near future so that no more innocent lives are lost.” – The Vibes, March 15, 2022