Muda: Cops probing students, govt is now what they fought against

Summary

• Muda censures the government over 13 students being called up to give their statements to the police as part of investigations into an anti-corruption rally on Jan 25.

• The party reminds government leaders that they were once oppressed under similar laws and are now becoming like those they used to oppose.

• It also slams the government’s “double speech”, referring to the PM and home minister saying the rally should be allowed to proceed, but then after the protest police are probing protesters.

Muda has criticised the government over a police probe against students who attended the Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah rally on Jan 25.

The youth party said the police calling 13 students to give their statements at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters showed that politicians who are now in government are turning into those they used to oppose.

“We congratulate the rally secretariat and students who gathered on Jan 25 as they proved something the government is unaware of: the government has become what they once fought against.

“We did not forget. They (then opposition politicians) themselves were chased by the police, called up for questioning, and oppressed under the same laws. Now, they are using those laws against students who are just calling for integrity and transparency,” Muda said in a statement today.

‘Walk the talk’

The party urged the government to practise the reform principles it preaches and, instead of probing the students, haul up those responsible for bribery.

It also railed against the government’s “art of double speech”, citing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Home Minister Saifudin Nasution Ismail’s expression of support a day before the rally.

“For me, it’s not an issue. Go ahead, protest if you want to protest against corruption,” Anwar said, while Saifuddin insisted the government respects the freedom of assembly.

“So, what’s the truth? What’s the policy of this government - in public, pretending to be open to rallies by the people, but behind your back, silently using the police to persecute students?” Muda asked.

The party added that it understands the duty of the police to uphold the law but that the government cannot use the authorities as a tool to intimidate the public.

“We urge the government to stop repeating the mistakes of the past that were committed by those they once fought against.

“If this government really wants to prove the Madani principles they so often proclaim, they must show it in their actions.”

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