Police question 10, including politicians, on Turun M’sia protest

KUALA LUMPUR – Politicians were among 10 individuals who recorded their statements with police this afternoon in relation to the Turun Malaysia protest against the rising cost of goods that took place near the Sogo shopping complex on Saturday.

Those called to the Dang Wangi police headquarters included PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abd Halim, Ketari assemblyman Young Syefura Othman, and Amanah deputy youth chief Abbad Salimmi Che Adzmi, among others.

The group was seen entering the police headquarters with their lawyers at about 2.40pm this afternoon and left the building an hour later.

After leaving the compound, Adam told reporters that the group had given full cooperation to police throughout the questioning.

However, he said the probe into the protest participants was a form of intimidation as protests were not against the law.

He added that the group was currently being investigated under Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“However, we believe that peaceful protests and the right to expression are guaranteed under the constitution,” Adam said, as quoted by The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister publication, Getaran.

The Turun Malaysia protest, which was expected to generate a huge crowd, turned out to be a dampened effort as barely over 100 people emerged to protest in front of the shopping complex.

Demanding that the government take immediate action against the rising cost of goods, the protesters, the majority of whom were dressed in all black, carried placards that read “lawak ke subsidi?” (is it a subsidy or a joke?) as well as “turun dan lawan” (come out to resist).

The protesters had, among other things, demanded ministers to take pay cuts, subsidy measures to be maintained, the channelling of better assistance to those in need, and for the government to control the price of goods and ensure food security.

Meanwhile, Young Syefura, also known as Rara, said police did not need to “waste time” by investigating the activists and students involved as the protest took place without any untoward incidents.

“This (investigation) wastes the time of (police) officers who can focus on other (more important) things.

“To us, the assembly was held to push the government into hearing the demands of the students and people,” she said.

“We represent the voices of the people as the issue of living costs is very important under the current situation.”

When contacted, Dang Wangi police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya confirmed that 10 individuals, including politicians, activists, and students recorded their statements from 2.40pm today.

“I can confirm that a total of 10 individuals had come to the Dang Wangi police headquarters and recorded their statements with investigating officers on the case,” he said, adding that the investigations were being carried out under the Peaceful Assembly Act. – The Vibes, July 25, 2022