'Parlimen Digital': LFL slams questioning of participants

• Updated to include comments by Dr Afif Bahardin.

Human rights lawyers organisation Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has blasted the police for approaching and questioning some of the participants of the recent youth-led Parlimen Digital session.

"It is gravely concerning that the authorities are probing the involvement of youths in the Parlimen Digital initiative, to the point where a few of the participants were even called to the police station for questioning, allegedly without any legal counsel present," said LFL coordinator Zain Malek in a statement today.

"This unwarranted probe is highly questionable as these participants have not broken any laws to prompt a police investigation.

"Since the authorities have not stated why they are questioning the participants, we can only conclude that this is an act of intimidation meant to discourage and deter youths from being vocal and involved in political discourse, a part of the worrisome trend of recent police probes on political dissenters," he added.

Yesterday, organisers of the virtual "Parlimen Digital" session confirmed that several of its participants were contacted by police following the end of its first sitting on Saturday.

The secretariat stressed that all 222 participants were selected based on their personal merit, without any political considerations.

"Some participants have been called into police stations for questioning without legal counsel, while some were invited out for casual discussions," they said.

"Parlimen Digital is a safe space for youths to debate pressing issues affecting youth and to propose their ideas for a better Malaysia irrespective of their background," added the secretariat who asked the police to contact the organisers directly.

It also highlighted that all information related to the debates are available online at Parlimen Digital's website and social media channels.

LFL said the Parlimen Digital initiative is meant to be a non-partisan platform for youths to simulate parliament proceedings to discuss and debate pressing issues affecting young people in Malaysia.

"The organisers, as well as the participants, are merely exercising their freedom of expression, which is protected under Article 10(1) of the Federal Constitution, and any action taken against them is a flagrant abuse of their rights," said Zaid.

He said that youth involvement in political discourse should be lauded and encouraged as it is signalling a brighter future for Malaysia’s democracy and any action by the authorities to harass them must be strongly condemned.

"The authorities must immediately cease all investigations into the organisers and participants of Parlimen Digital, and we strongly urge the government to ensure that the Rakyat’s fundamental liberties are preserved and upheld at all times," he said.

Give young people a stronger voice, says Perikatan Nasional rep

Seberang Jaya assemblyperson Dr Afif Bahardin called the investigations "an unnecessary situation for young people who are trying to make a positive difference for the country".

"This kind of intimidation is what will bring down some young people who want to breathe new life to help us make a better and more prosperous country," he said.

Afif said that some members of the Pemuda Negara group he heads were present, representing some parliamentary constituencies such as Tenom (Sabah) and Stampin (Sarawak).

"As a young leader, I am amazed at the strength, determination and spirit of political commitment that Parlimen Digital has made through two very important national debates on economic recovery through a special economic package for the youth and the structuring of the post-Covid-19 education system," he added.

He said that the PN government should celebrate this noble effort by aiding the voice of young people concerned about the country's future.

"PN should always be aware that the youth of the nation is a determinant (factor) of the stability of a government and the unity of a nation to move forward.

"Therefore, I look forward to the PN government under Muhyiddin Yassin to immediately hold a series of meetings with these visionary youths to understand the needs and views of the country's heirs ahead of the Budget 2021 presentation this November," he added.

'A good initiative should be welcomed and celebrated'

Sabah PKR Youth information chief Razeef Rakimi also weighed in on the matter.

"I urge the authorities to stop bullying these young people immediately. This excellent initiative aims to nurture young people on current issues and to educate young people to see how the country's democratic process should work.

"The action taken by the police can be viewed as an attempt to stop young people from speaking out and creates a bad impression of the country's democratic system.

"A good initiative should be welcomed and celebrated," he said.

The police action to question the participants was roundly condemned yesterday by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, DAP's Ramkarpal Singh and a number of young elected representatives such as Batu MP P Prabakaran and Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lim Yi Wei.

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad also lauded the efforts of the participants, saying that they had proven a parliamentary session could be held by teleconferencing.

Prior to the sitting of Parlimen Digital, its participants met with key political leaders, ministers, deputy ministers and elected representatives in both parliament and state legislative assemblies to familiarise themselves with the issues.

Parlimen Digital was organised by three youth-led politically independent organisations, namely Challenger Malaysia, Undi18 and Liga Demokratik Malaysia.

Malaysiakini is its official media partner.

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