Demi Malaysia calls the “authoritarian” police crackdown an attack on democracy.
KUALA LUMPUR: Youth activist group Demi Malaysia has condemned the recent government crackdown on the protesters and organisers of the #TangkapNajib rally last Saturday, calling it nothing more than an act of “political cowardice”.
“If Prime Minister Najib Razak insists that he has not touched the 1MDB money and therefore thinks that he should not resign, he should counter the call for resignation like a gentleman with solid proof and facts instead of hiding behind the police, whose salaries are also paid by the taxpayers,” said the group in a statement today.
“The police force therefore should not be used to protect one’s political interests as this is clearly a violation of the principle of natural justice.”
The rally, demanding that Prime Minister Najib Razak step down over mounting allegations of corruption and misappropriation of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds, was marred by chaos and multiple arrests, with 29 protesters taken in by the police.
“Democracy exists when a person is allowed to voice his or her opinion. Arresting someone over a peaceful assembly to voice their dissatisfaction against a national leader whose salary is paid by the taxpayers’ money signals the beginning of authoritarianism and the end of democracy,” they argued.
They also questioned the basis for the police’s investigating of Demi Malaysia secretariat manager Mandeepkarpall Singh, Ahmad Syukri Razab and Adam Adli under Section 124B of the Penal Code, which provides for activity undermining parliamentary democracy.
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#TangkapNajib crackdown nothing but ‘political cowardice’
August 3, 2015 – FMT
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