Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong today questioned the police for practising double standards for arresting students last night but not those who participated at the anti-Bersih rally.

Yong ( photo ), who is also a lawyer, said the students had only gathered for a peaceful protest in front of the Parliament.

“Last weekend we had the anti-Bersih group which openly declared violence, and hence more so they should be arrested under the penal code. They rallied in front of Sogo with monkey shows recently. Why the double standards (by the police),” he asked.

Last night police arrested 13 male and three female students following their peaceful protest demanding Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation.

A group of 30 policemen apprehended the students after they refused to leave.

Hope authorities will be fair

Yong quizzed whether police would resort to more arrests this weekend following the Bersih 4 rally.

“I hope the authorities will be fair and detain those who have violated the laws from both sides.

“The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, provides every citizen the right to assemble, whether or not notice was given to the police. I hope the police force’s intention in criminalising the right to assemble is in accordance with the law,” he reminded.

Unless there is an actual report of violence escalating at the rally, Yong said there is no need for the police to enforce the Act.

The Gerakan Youth leader cited the Court of Appeal case of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad vs Public Prosecutor , which stipulates the requisite of giving prior notice before an assembly is deemed unlawful, and that the punishment accorded for not giving a notice is unconstitutional.

“Malaysia should emulate countries like Hong Kong or Britain, where police were present to ensure public order and security in such peaceful rallies,” he said.

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