[VIDEO] Activist gives cops tongue-lashing for blocking way to anti-Azam rally

KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyer and activist Siti Zabedah Kasim got into an altercation with police officers who appeared to be trying to stop her from proceeding along a road near where the #TangkapAzamBaki rally was being held here this morning.

In a video that quickly went viral, Siti can be seen lashing out at an officer who tried to block her path.

As more officers came over to help their colleague, a senior policeman was seen trying to explain to her that the restriction is due to legitimate orders.

Siti, however, was having none of it and gave the officers a piece of her mind, stressing on her right as a citizen to move along the road.

She later told reporters who were present that she was there to lend support for those participating in the protest to call for the arrest of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki over the shares procurement controversy he has been in.

She said that she is proud of the youth for organising such a gathering.

She added that the demonstration is necessary as it is a manifestation of the “sick” situation the nation is in, where government agencies are wielded as weapons to prevent people from speaking out for their rights.

“Should the government be using their forces to prevent gatherings, all for the sake of one individual?

“The citizens of Malaysia must rise and fight against the corruption happening in our country,” she said to press at the rally today.

Meanwhile, Getaran observed that the demonstration calling for the arrest of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Tan Sri Azam Baki was conducted in a controlled manner without provocation as the crowd headed to Brickfields chanting: “Tangkap Azam Baki!”

Clad in black T-shirts, participants were also seen carrying placards and banners featuring slogans against inaction towards Azam and satirical images of the MACC chief.

However, police only allowed the crowd, which met near the Bangsar LRT station, to march along the Jalan Bangsar road.

Brickfields police chief Amihizam Abdul Shukor had stipulated that protesters were only allowed to march about 500m from their gathering point at the Bangsar LRT station.

Meanwhile, Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz told Getaran that various parties and government agencies must work together to seriously address the issues aired during the protest as the nation’s image is at stake.

“All those responsible, especially academicians, must speak out against the wrongs committed against the people. The youth must stand up and continue to fight until Azam Baki steps down.

“We are gathered here today not to create chaos, but because it is our right as Malaysians to return empowerment to the nation’s integrity,” she said.

Also seen among the crowd were Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, Pasir Pinji assemblyman Howard Lee, PKR Youth secretary Ahmad Syukri Razab, Kg Tunku man Lim Yi Wei, as well as lawyer and PKR man Asheeq Ali. – Getaran, January 22, 2022