KUALA LUMPUR – Police have warned the public to avoid participating in flash mobs organised by various parties to protest the rising costs of goods.
In a statement today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said police had detected a video making the rounds on social media calling on people to join a nationwide flash mob.
“The public is advised to not take part in any flash mob activities or large gatherings that do not adhere to rules under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012,” he said.
“Strict action will be taken by police against organisers or participants who fail to abide by the law.”
He added that while police will be keeping an eye on the situation to ensure the safety of the nation, the public should cooperate by staying away from activities that can “affect public peace.”
On June 27, opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) cost of living committee had called on the party’s presidential council and the public to take to the streets in all 222 parliamentary constituencies to hold the government accountable for failing to stem the rising cost of living.
“Let’s start with a minimum move such as a flash mob,” it said, calling for, among other things, a smaller cabinet and the removal of special envoys to continue paying for subsidies for chicken, eggs, cooking oil, petrol and tariffs.
Two days later, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced a special inflation task force, chaired by Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, to control the rising price of goods more efficiently and effectively.
The establishment of the task force has been questioned by opposition lawmakers, who said that the move will result in unnecessary expenditure and little gain.
On the same day, the government announced that effective July 1, the new ceiling price for standard chicken will be raised from the current RM8.90/kg to RM9.40/kg for Peninsular Malaysia.
Politicians and youths had subsequently held their own protests to vent their frustrations over the rising prices of goods, with Amanah organising a gathering at Masjid Jamek, Kg Baru on July 1 while a coalition of youth activist groups followed suit the next day at the Pasar Seni LRT station.
Participants of both gatherings have since been hauled in by police for questioning, with both cases being investigated at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for failing to notify police of the gatherings.
A total of 10 PH leaders were called in to give their statements regarding the event at Masjid Jamek while six PKR Youth members, including party wing chief Adam Adli, were questioned for the demonstration at the Pasar Seni LRT station. – The Vibes, July 16, 2022
