KUALA LUMPUR – Individuals called in for police questioning over the #Lawan protest on Saturday have nothing to fear, especially those who were identified during a police press conference yesterday.
After his questioning session at Dang Wangi police headquarters today, Muda co-founder Amir Abdul Hadi told reporters that those whose photos were publicised should wait to be called in.
“Do not be scared, police have been really nice to us, but wait to be called in first. I do not think you need to present yourself (to police) if you think you have been identified.”
Amir is among seven individuals who were summoned for questioning today. The others are PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, Parti Sosialis Malaysia central committee member Sharan Raj, Muda vice-president Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier and executive committee members Dr Mathen Nair and Dr Teo Lee Ken, as well as Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat activist Numan Afifi.
Although he was not one of the organisers, Chua said he was called up due to his participation in the protest.
He added that he was there to stand in solidarity with the youth who have chosen to speak up.
“I want to congratulate the youth for speaking out. They have taken risks as they could be called up by police, and there is a pandemic going on.
“This shows how much this new generation is aware and concerned about the country.”
Meanwhile, Sharan slammed the government over its use of police to intimidate activists, accusing Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of being a dictator.
He also warned Muhyiddin to vacate his post in Putrajaya “before the rakyat vacate the seat for him”.
“The prime minister has to vacate his office, before it is vacated by the people.”
Thanussha also took the opportunity to question if peaceful protests must take place in factories for the government to shut the plants down.
“Factories have caused a huge number of daily Covid-19 cases. How can the government perceive workers operating in a small area to not garner any risk?
“But vaccinated parliamentarians or youth gathering on the streets, they do not allow it.”
Based on Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim’s press conference yesterday, police are investigating the matter under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act, Section 269 of the Penal Code, and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act.
Another eight protesters were questioned at the Dang Wangi police headquarters yesterday, namely activists Mohammad Alshatri Abdullah, Mohd Asraf Sharafi Mohd Azhar, Tharma Pillai, Sevan Doraisamy, Donny Chee, Qyira Yusri and Edylyn Beverly Joeman.
It is understood that three other individuals – Siti Nurizah, Syazwani Mahmud and lawyer Asheeq Ali – were also called in. – The Vibes, August 3, 2021