Pro-Palestine activists probed over protest at US embassy event

Police are investigating three pro-Palestine activists over a protest held during a US Embassy event in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month.

The trio from Gegar Amerika gave their statement at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters this afternoon, accompanied by Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek.

One of the activists, Kamal Aarif Kamaruddin, told reporters outside the police station that the police had repeatedly called his parents to threaten and harass them.

The 22-year-old Kamal was also dissatisfied that the police did not issue a summon in accordance with Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“They were not following procedures, not giving the Section 111 notice, and harassing family members.

“They called my parents four to five times a day while they were working. So, this is just one of the ways that the state continues to intimidate activists. Despite being under a so-called reformist government, the intimidation of protesters still continues,” he said.

Suppression

Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code empowers the police to issue written orders to compel people to have their witness statements recorded, and for a magistrate to issue arrest warrants against those who refuse to comply with the order.

According to Kamal, the police sought to confirm whether they participated in the June 10 protest.

He criticised the government, saying the more activists protest the US role in the Gaza conflict, the more the government suppresses the protesters.

This is despite the government’s seemingly pro-Palestine stance.

“We will continue escalating our actions until the genocide in Gaza ends and until America stops arming the Zionist regime,” he added.

The other two individuals who gave statements declined to be named.

They arrived at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 2.30pm and left at 3.45pm, with the questioning lasting around one hour and 15 minutes.

About five people turned up to show solidarity with the activists.

Right to assemble

Zaid told reporters that the police investigation was carried out under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

He emphasised that according to Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution, the protesters have the right to peaceful assembly, and therefore, the police should not be investigating these three individuals.

Zaid noted that the three, like Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, are supporting the Palestinian cause, yet only these three were being investigated by the police.

He questioned why only the prime minister was allowed to express his stance, while ordinary citizens could not voice their dissatisfaction.

“Why is it that the prime minister has free reign to say what he needs to say on whatever platforms that are available to him, but the average Malaysian could not similarly express their discontent, their anger, with regards to what is happening between Palestine and Israel?

“So, it really is a transgression of the rights to peaceful assembly under the Federal Constitution, as well as I would say, a hypocritical act whereby Malaysia is investigating Malaysian individuals who are protesting in solidarity with the Palestinian people,” he said.

On June 10, several Palestine supporters disrupted the US Independence Day reception at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Based on videos posted by Gegar Amerika on social media, a protester held a loudspeaker outside the event, condemning the US as an accomplice to the deaths of Palestinians.

They attempted to enter the event but were forcibly removed by two men in suits.

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