About 150, including party leaders such as Bersama's Wong Chen, DAP Youth vice-chief Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez, and PBM info chief Ronnie Liu, gather outside Sogo.
The protesters started gathering at about 3pm as the crowd swelled to about 150 before they dispersed at about 5pm.
Among those present were former PKR MP Wong Chen, Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) information chief Ronnie Liu, DAP Youth vice-chief Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez and activist Hishamuddin Rais.
The protesters listed three main demands for the government: a royal commission of inquiry to be formed over the corporate mafia allegations, an end to alleged double standards in law enforcement, and an end to the purported maltreatment of activists.
Addressing the crowd, Mandiri executive director Amir Hadi questioned the use of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, or Amla, against activists.
This comes after he and Mandiri finance director Dobby Chew were detained for several days to assist in a money laundering probe.
Amir said the authorities should not be allowed to detain people and freeze their banks accounts before an offence was established.
“They can arrest us, put us in lock-up, charge us in court and even imprison us, but they will not be able to silence the voice of the people,” he said.
Amir said Mandiri will continue campaigning against corruption and pushing for those involved in the purported corporate mafia to be investigated and prosecuted.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported allegations that a network of businessmen and MACC officers used raids and investigations to pressure executives into selling shares in targeted companies.
The news network also reported allegations that then MACC chief Azam Baki had breached a government circular on civil servant shareholdings, which he denied.
This has led to calls for an RCI to be set up to probe the allegations, with DAP leaders also joining in.
Wong, who is now with Bersama, said an RCI is meant to establish the facts rather than presume anyone guilty.
“We are not saying they are already found guilty. We just want an RCI into Azam and the corporate mafia,” he said.
Muda secretary-general Ainie Haziqah Shafii urged young Malaysians to continue speaking out against the government when they disagreed with its actions, regardless of which coalition was in power.
“Just because Pakatan Harapan is in government, don’t stop speaking out. If they are wrong, say they are wrong,” she said. - FMT
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