Fifteen individuals who participated in the Turun protest against rising food prices on Saturday were called for questioning at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters today.
Those summoned included Muda deputy-president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, Muda vice-president Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier, Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi, and its Perak chief Muthalib Uthman.
Also present for questioning were Undi18 co-founders Qyira Yusri and Tharmelinggam Pillai, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy, Gabungan Gerakan Mahasiswa’s Rafiq Shahmie (above), and Bersih activist Edlyn Beverly Joeman.
Speaking to the media after being questioned, Rafiq said this police questioning is a form of intimidation.
“This is a form of intimidation towards us students.
“We will not let this stop us from voicing our opinions on the price hike issue,” he added.
When asked what they will do if the government does not act on their demands, Rafiq said they will keep fighting for their rights.
“We will continue to claim for the five rights we demanded for at our protest on Saturday,” he stressed.
The Turun protest on July 23 was held to protest the recent rise in prices of daily goods and the removal of subsidies by the government.
Amir reiterated that the government’s large cabinet should be pared down so that more funds can be used to help the public.
“I hope that the government listens to our pleas. Our country has the biggest cabinet in the world and the wage for ministers is in the millions.
“Hence, the cabinet wages should be reduced to help with the price rise issue,” he said.
Sexual harassment
Meanwhile, Amira said she will be going back into the police station to make a report on sexual harassment.
She said she was harassed on social media after posting a video of Saturday’s protest.
“I posted a video and, under that post, there were a lot of comments which constituted sexual harassment.
“I want to make it clear that comments like this should not be normalised, so I sought to make a police report as well today.
“I also call upon Parliament to hasten the tabling of the Sexual Harassment Act to prevent this from happening again,” Amira added. - Mkini
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