KUALA LUMPUR – Feeling let down by the government and tired of the politicking amid the continuous surge in Covid-19 cases, activist Nathaniel Tan has gone on a hunger strike, which started yesterday.
Speaking to The Vibes, Tan of Projek #BangsaMalaysia said he will not eat as long as his five demands are not met.
“The last I ate was yesterday. Soup and bread made by my loving mom for lunch. I have just been having some drinks since.
“Abnormal situations require abnormal solutions. If we keep pretending things are normal, more and more Malaysians will die unnecessarily (due to Covid-19).
“We need to believe in the rakyat’s power to make change. This belief that ‘we can’t’ is our most dangerous myth,” he said, after spending a night on a five-foot path at the corner of Jalan Rahim Kajai and Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
After not having a bite for more than 19 hours, he admitted he is getting some hunger pangs.
“I feel hungry. It’s hard to sleep and it’s not comfortable, but I managed to get a bit of sleep. Others are worse off. I chose a corner with practically no foot traffic, so I am not worried about being infected by Covid-19.
Good morning! Still in one piece.
— Nathaniel Tan (@NatAsasi) August 5, 2021
Stranger came by, talked about how we should be focused on Covid right now, nothing else. Said her husband told her she would make a better pm than current one, lol!#BangsaMalaysia#BangkitBersama pic.twitter.com/WLYJ3iBErz
“I feel let down by the government and just simply tired of politicians politicking during these trying times. I will not budge until the demands are met.”
Shortly before he went on the hunger strike yesterday, Tan posted a list of demands on his Facebook and they are as follows:
1. For the decision-making power in all matters related to Covid-19 to be fully in the hands of experts, or failing that, to resume parliamentary sittings immediately.
2. To prepare RM500 million for medical equipment at hospitals treating Covid-19 patients. Without this money, they will not be able to save the lives of Malaysians. This money should not go through hospital bureaucracy. Instead, ward doctors should be able to freely and openly name the equipment they need without fear of backlash.
3. To allow each frontliner to reveal the actual situation without filtering or action (against them), and to publish all Covid-19-related data without any filtering.
4. To publish the full list of companies still allowed to operate under the total lockdown. Too many stories of employers forcing employees to come into work, even when they can work from home. Too many factories. Tell the truth.
5. Supply of N95 masks and hand sanitisers to all hospitals and police stations for free.
This morning, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad paid Tan a visit after his morning run.
“After my morning run, I decided to check out my old friend Nat who is on a hunger strike. We worked together at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s office and he had the distinction of being the first to be arrested then.
“He was in good spirits. We are with you, man,” Nik Nazmi tweeted.
Through the strike, Tan hopes that the public will feel emboldened and believe in their power to push for change.
“My message to the people is that we have the power to make change. Trust me.” – The Vibes, August 5, 2021
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