The anti-Goods and Services Tax (GST) rally in Kuala Lumpur today would have concluded with no untoward incidents at all, had it not been for just one rally-goer.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Amar Singh Ishar Singh confirmed that a participant was detained by police under Section 504 of the Penal Code.
The section deals with intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace.
Activist Muhammad Zhafran Muhammad Zuhdi was detained after he stuck a caricature of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on a police car.
The 24-year-old is currently detained at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
“He was walking around and when the patrol car came, he put the caricature of Najib with whatever words on it, blatantly stuck it on the car. That’s just not proper.
“It is the only case (of detention). Otherwise, everything was peaceful; no problems at all,” said Amar to Malaysiakini.
Zhafran’s lawyer, Mohd Ashraf Othman, told Malaysiakini that his client was detained at around 3.30pm.
Stating that his access to his client was denied, Ashraf said he could only wait for tomorrow for the remand order.
“I have left my number at the police station so I will wait for the police to call me,” he said.
Ashraf said he was told no investigating officer has been assigned to his client’s case.
About 2,000 protesters thronged the streets from Sogo shopping complex to Dataran Merdeka, participating in the rally, despite the heat.
The anti-GST demonstration, which also demands for the resignation of Najib, witnessed a carnival-like atmosphere, with participants chanting slogans and blowing vuvuzelas.
The event saw various Pakatan Harapan leaders making speeches urging for the resignation of Najib and condemning the GST.
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad also made a surprise appearance shortly before the rally ended. -Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.