GEORGE TOWN: Non-governmental organisation, Surplus Pulau Pinang, today lodged a report against opposition members of parliament (MPs) who gathered at Dataran Merdeka this morning to protest against the postponement of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting.
The report was lodged by Surplus Pulau Pinang chairman Mohd Sophian Mohd Zain at the Jalan Patani police station here past noon today.
Speaking to newsmen prior to lodging the report, Sophian demanded the police and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to take immediate and stern action against the opposition MPs, stressing that their action could create unrest in the society, more so now than ever.
He said Malaysia was still under total lockdown, and as such, any form of assembly or procession on the road was still not allowed.
He added that, clearly, the opposition MPs had defied the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the government under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 or Act 342.
"As such, action must be taken against them as they not only bring the opposition MPs to the street but also force the frontliners, in this case the police, to also be on the street. We also see many newsmen and public. All this can create unnecessary panic.
"We are surprised why there are no arrests made, compounds issued or even attempts to stop this morning's gathering at Dataran Merdeka.
"If it is the people (rakyat) who had gathered, they would have been caught or issued with a compound," he said today, adding that the action of the opposition MPs left the people in fear, more so as the Delta variant was spreading like wildfire.
Elaborating, Sofian said the MPs had been informed before hand about today's postponement of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting.
"They had received letters from the secretary of the Dewan Rakyat, informing that the special sitting had been postponed and not cancelled due to Covid-19 cases within Parliament.
"These MPs are from all over the country and they will be returning home to their respective areas. If there is any infection, this will cause panic among the people in their areas.
"So, why did they choose to take the protest to the street? As it is, the people are already living in fear," he added.
Sopian also said the opposition MPs action clearly did not have the people's interest at heart.
"What are they demanding? They couldn't care less about the hardship face by the people, let alone the economy and the country. What they are demanding is Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his government's resignation.
"With what they are doing, will this bring the Covid-19 cases down?" he asked.
Earlier today, it was reported that almost all opposition MPs gathered at Dataran Merdeka this morning to protest against the postponement of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Leaders of opposition parties such as PKR's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; Pejuang's Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir; Parti Amanah Negara's Mohamad Sabu; Warisan's Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal; Muda's founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman; and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng were present at the square since 9am.
The government's decision to cancel the Dewan Rakyat special sitting at the last minute was met with criticism, with opposition MPs calling Perikatan Nasional government and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to exit Putrajaya. - NST
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