Protesters urge PM to act on 'corporate mafia', stop targeting activists

Calls for action against the "corporate mafia" reverberated outside Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Sogo shopping complex today as civil society groups contrasted authorities’ actions against Mandiri leaders Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi and Dobby Chew.

Rallying under the #RCINOW and #HentiBungkamNGO banners, two days after the duo’s release from lock-up, some 100 activists and supporters reminded Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan that public support should not be taken for granted as fresh elections loom.

At the end of the rally that dispersed peacefully after about two hours, organisers presented three main demands - a royal commission of inquiry into alleged links between a “corporate mafia” and enforcement officials; an end to what they described as “two-tier justice”; and a halt to laws being used against activists.

The “corporate mafia” controversy stems from a Bloomberg investigation which alleged that a network of businesspeople had worked with MACC officers to target companies, oust executives and seize control of businesses.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | The who and what of 'corporate mafia' scandal

The protesters argued that while Amir and Chew faced investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA), including the freezing of accounts, there had been no comparable urgency in addressing the corporate mafia allegations.

In his speech, Mandiri director Amir (below) said the questions surrounding former MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki were not new.

“We organised the ‘Tangkap Azam Baki’ protest in April. We held it twice. This is not a new issue.

“Anwar himself once took to the streets, but when they became the government, they extended Azam’s contract three times.

“From the beginning, we said: ‘We didn’t invent anything.’ The issues surrounding Azam Baki are the same ones that have been raised before,” he said, insisting that actions against Mandiri and Hayat were linked to their protests against the corporate mafia allegations.

Further, Amir warned that action against civil society could set a precedent beyond the present government.

“They can do this now, but you may not remain the government forever. What you are doing sets a precedent,” he said.

“You were the ones who used to campaign against corruption. You were the ones who used to bring people onto the streets,” he stressed, speaking against a backdrop of cardboard caricatures mocking Anwar and Azam.

‘We believe in change’

Aside from anti-money laundering provisions, the protesters also criticised the use of the Sedition Act, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), the Communications and Multimedia Act and provisions of the Penal Code against activists.

Muda secretary-general Ainie Haziqah Shafii similarly warned the government risked alienating those who had once supported calls for reform.

“Today, they are also the ones arresting fellow activists and students who speak out against the government.

“If they want to defend corrupt individuals and offenders, we will fight back.

“I am sure that after today, some of us will be called up because they do not like what we are calling for,” she said.

Ainie added: “If today we put them in power, tomorrow we can bring them down!”

Likewise, Amir urged the government to stop targeting civil society.

“Stop what you are doing to civil society. We are not contesting elections. We are speaking up about things that need to be said.

“We supported you before because we believed in change. But when you fail to deliver that change, you cannot expect that support to continue,” he stressed.

Remaining optimistic

Chew, meanwhile, said he remained optimistic despite frustration with the political situation.

“We are tired of all these theatrics. But I remain optimistic. I believe there are still those among the political parties who support the people’s movement,” he said.

Apart from CSOs, Chew (above), also a Muda member, credited his party’s support as well as Bersama, PSM, and Parti Bangsa Malaysia through former DAP assemblyperson Ronnie Liu.

PKR-turned-Bersama former Subang MP Wong Chen, who was at the rally today, said he had previously assisted Mandiri to lobby all 222 MPs to support an official petition for a “corporate mafia RCI” that has so far collected 50 signatories.

Also seen was DAP Youth national vice-chief Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez, who noted criticisms against parties in government, particularly from Harapan, and urged senior leaders to heed the people’s call for reforms.

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