DAP Member of Parliament for Bangi, Syahredzan Johan, admitted that the government’s reformist image was damaged after blocking an anti-graft rally, urging a return to reformist principles.
Syahredzan criticised the government’s authoritarian approach, emphasising the right to peaceful assembly and calling for alignment with reformist values.
The rally followed a similar protest in Sabah, triggered by allegations of corruption involving state politicians, which were denied as political conspiracies.
“There was no reason for the initial response from the police and authorities.
“They should have just agreed to facilitate from the start,” the DAP central executive committee member said, after getting severe backlash online.
In the statement on Facebook, Syahredzan Johan called for the PH-led government to shift from authoritarianism towards its reformist roots.
“There was no reason for the initial response from the police and authorities. They should have just agreed to facilitate from the start,” the DAP central executive committee member said.
In a Facebook statement, Syahredzan said as PH chairperson, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, after completing a world tour, had to intervene regarding the rally that had relatively few participants.
“With most reports stating that the crowd consisted of a mere 200 people, there was no political or physical threat,” he said, adding, “Of course, this is not about the size of the rally. It is about the right to peacefully assemble. But the point remains.
“This isn’t us. We shouldn’t pretend to be authoritarian when we know we are certainly not. High time that we bring the state apparatus in line with what we truly are – reformists,” he said.
The rally highlighted dissatisfaction with corruption in Malaysia. Initially blocked by authorities, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later allowed it to proceed. —Jan 26, 2025
Main image: Yusof Mat Isa
