PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Youth today slammed the authorities for charging two politicians and a student activist for taking part in a protest in Kuala Lumpur last month, claiming it was “politically motivated”.
In calling for the charges to be dropped, the youth wing leaders of PH component parties said the charges were a waste of court resources and that such charges were meant to “intimidate the youth”.
The statement was signed by DAP Youth chief Dr Kelvin Yii, PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abd Halim, Amanah’s Hasbie Muda, and Upko Youth chief Felix Joseph Saang.
“The authorities should be investigating and prosecuting those involved in more serious crimes, including leaders who are corrupt and who abuse their power.”
This included the recent controversy surrounding the procurement of littoral combat ships, they added.
“The government should listen to the people’s concerns and accept their demands, instead of punishing the people,” they said, adding that the right to peaceful assembly and free speech was protected in the Federal Constitution.
Earlier today, Hasbie, Batu PKR youth chief Sabda Suluh Lestari Yahya and student activist Aliff Naif Mohd Fizam, were charged with failing to notify the police five days before staging their gatherings.
They were charged this morning under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 at different magistrates’ courts in Kuala Lumpur.
Hasbie’s charge was related to an event he had allegedly organised at Masjid Jamek, Kampung Baru on July 1, while Sabda’s charge concerned a protest in front of the Sogo shopping complex on July 9.
Aliff’s charge also involved a protest in front of Sogo on July 23.
All three pleaded not guilty and the court set Sept 21 for case mention. - FMT
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