Cops to question ‘Buka Puasa Buka Parliament’ participants

 

Dang Wangi police plan to summon participants of yesterday’s “Buka Puasa Buka Parlimen” demonstration for questioning.

District’s police chief Mohamad Zainal Abdullah shared a statement today that said the participants were being investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

The section stipulates that organisers need to notify the police of an assembly 10 days before the date of the event.

If not, they could be fined a maximum of RM10,000 if convicted.

This comes after a report was lodged yesterday by Ahmad Zainal Tuan Ismail, the assistant superintendent who led a team of police officers to keep the peace during the demonstration.

According to Ahmad Zainal, about 90 people attended the assembly.

“Checks found that the Dang Wangi Licences Division did not receive any application from anyone to hold the assembly.

“No arrests or seizures were made and the assembly took place peacefully.

“All of those identified as being involved in the assembly will be called in to give their statement as soon as possible,” the statement read.

The statement also mentioned the presence of unnamed “leaders and members” of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang).

The “Buka Puasa Buka Parlimen” demonstration was held yesterday evening in front of the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur.

Organised by Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR), an ad hoc coalition of youth groups, the aim was to demand Parliament to reconvene.

The Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara have been suspended since the emergency was declared in January.

During the assembly, participants held placards demanding that the Perikatan Nasional government implement the constitutional amendment to lower the voting age to 18.

Other causes highlighted during the demonstration included making schools safer, recognising the rights of Sabah and Sarawak and restoring the rule of law.

The group had marched from Tugu Negara to the gates of the Parliament where participants gave speeches and later broke fast together while seated on the road.

Among those who attended were Muda co-founder Amir Abd Hadi, Pejuang president and Jerlun MP Mukhriz Mahathir, Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lim Yi Wei, Paloh assemblyperson Sheikh Omar Ali and Undi18 co-founders Qyira Yusri and Tharma Pillai.

The other groups represented were Bersih, Borneo Komrad, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Suaram and Universiti Malaya Association of New Youths (Umany). - Mkini