Police Questioning of Students Involved in Anti-Corruption Rally Criticised as Intimidation
The organisers of last week’s anti-corruption rally have condemned the police for questioning 10 university students involved in the gathering, labelling it as a form of intimidation.
Background
The 10 students involved in the Jan 25 gathering had spent over 1.5 hours each being questioned by the police earlier today. Other members of the rally organisers were also present in support of the students.
Criticism from Organisers
Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah (Hiburan) spokesman Zaim Zulkifli expressed puzzlement at the authorities’ actions, questioning whether demanding a corruption-free country is a crime and whether the voices of youth are so threatening that they must be silenced through investigations and intimidation.
"Is demanding a corruption-free country a crime? Are the voices of youth so threatening that they must be silenced through investigations and intimidation?" Zaim told reporters outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters (IPD).
Investigation and Questioning
The 10 students were investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, pertaining to a failure to provide notice of the gathering within the prescribed period. According to Zaim, police asked them 27 questions, but the students chose to answer them in court, if charged.
Police Chief’s Statement
Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman confirmed that the police had recorded statements of the 10 students, who were accompanied by five lawyers. However, he did not elaborate on the additional students who were initially reported to have been called in as well.
Rally Organiser’s Statement
Rally organiser mobilisation coordinator Tobey Qi-Sean reported that he was given the names of 13 students required to give statements to the police. Two of these students are from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and will provide their statements at the Kepayan police headquarters in Kota Kinabalu on Feb 7. The remaining 11 students, including four attendees and seven organising committee members, have already given their statements.
Conclusion
The anti-corruption rally, held on Jan 25, saw over 200 protesters, mostly university students, turn up outside the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur. The police’s questioning of students involved in the rally has been met with criticism from the organisers, who see it as an attempt to intimidate and silence the voices of youth demanding a corruption-free country.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the police investigation?
The police are investigating the 10 students involved in the anti-corruption rally for allegedly failing to provide notice of the gathering within the prescribed period. - How many students were questioned by the police?
10 students were questioned by the police, with each session lasting over 1.5 hours. - What was the outcome of the investigation?
The police have recorded the statements of the 10 students, who chose to answer them in court, if charged.