Bersih slams cops for detaining protesters, wants Parliament resumed
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has expressed its solidarity with young people who have taken to the streets to criticise the government and blasted the latter of its clamp down on expression.
“We strongly condemn the excessive action by the police to silence the voices of youth in Parit Raja by detaining them for four days under Section 144, 269, 505 (b) of the Penal Code, Section 8 of the Explosives Act and Section 48 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
“They were only exercising their rights as stated in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which allows the freedom of assembly and speech to...
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has expressed its solidarity with young people who have taken to the streets to criticise the government and blasted the latter of its clamp down on expression.
“We strongly condemn the excessive action by the police to silence the voices of youth in Parit Raja by detaining them for four days under Section 144, 269, 505 (b) of the Penal Code, Section 8 of the Explosives Act and Section 48 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
“They were only exercising their rights as stated in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which allows the freedom of assembly and speech to criticise the government’s failure in addressing the worsening socio-economic problems faced by the people as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Bersih in a statement today.
The electoral watchdog said the arrests in Kampung Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor was just the latest clampdown on young people who were assembling peacefully, after a previous action in Kampung Muhibbahraya, Tawau, Sabah.
“Bersih calls on the police to release the youth who were detained in Parit Raja immediately without any conditions.
“As with any other peaceful rallies, the police should assist demonstrators, especially the youth so that they can assemble safely and in peace.
“They should be allowed to gather and the government should listen to the people’s grievances.
“If the government is in tune with the situation, they will realise that the closure of effective official spaces to discuss the people’s situation such as Parliament, are the reasons for such public demonstrations,” said Bersih.
Parliament is the best avenue for elected representatives to bring forward existing problems and debate solutions to social and economic issues so that this country can overcome its Covid-19 crisis, it added.
The elected members of Parliament were among the first batch of Malaysians to receive their Covid-19 vaccines and yet the administration of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has continued to operate under a state of emergency in which the legislature does not convene.
“The government needs to immediately open Parliament so that the elected representatives can give their feedback formally in order for the government to improve their actions in dealing with Covid-19.
“Closure of spaces for free expression will only result in bolder actions by the people,” it added.
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