ORGANISERS of the recent peaceful assembly to protest rising costs of living have rubbished claims the rally was unlawful or had tarnished the image of the country.
Gabungan Gerakan Mahasiswa was responding to brickbats from public university student representative councils about the TURUN protest on Saturday (July 23).
In a statement, the coalition said it rallied for youths to head to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction over the Government’s “incompetency” in bringing down high food prices.
It noted the issue has yet to be resolved despite the Special Jihad Taskforce Against Inflation being in existence for more than 20 days.
“(Rallies) are also efficient, as seen in the establishment of Menu Kasih Siswa Keluarga Malaysia and the announcement to control bottled cooking oil prices, (which happened as a result of) our demands,” it pointed out.
The coalition added that street protests and demonstrations are not against the law as the right to freedom of assembly is provided for under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.“Although such a right is subject to certain restrictions, these restrictions have been loosened following the repeal of Section 27 of the Police Act 1967,” it said.
Repealed in 2012, the section had required organisers of public assemblies to obtain a mandatory permit from the police. Failure to do so resulted in the assembly being “illegal”.
However, under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, even in the absence of a mandatory permit, a peaceful assembly is not “illegal” if notice is given to the police seven days prior.
“Thus, university administrations and the police should not intimidate students who participated in these protests and demonstrations,” it said, referring to a public university’s alleged scrutiny of its students who attended the TURUN protest and the police’s ongoing questioning of attendees.“Incapable of critical thinking”
Gabungan Gerakan Mahasiswa, comprising over 20 university student groups, also called out public universities that prompted their student representative councils to criticise the protest in support of the Government.
Doing so forced the students to become “mere objects incapable of critical thinking” and discounted the welfare of the students and the community at large, it said.
“Our education system has always advocated for inculcating independent thinking among graduates (to foster) stronger problem-solving skills and greater employability.
“Thus, the expression of differing views via public assemblies is a clear demonstration that students today are capable of carrying different views instead of only embracing one mainstream view.”
The coalition also rubbished the contention that having peaceful assemblies would drive away foreign investors, saying this was “far-fetched”.
“Indonesia and Thailand have also witnessed numerous large-scale student protests in a peaceful manner,” it pointed out. “They are still doing well in attracting foreign direct investments.”
The coalition said it stands firm with its belief that street protests are valid and lawful means of “communication”, and urged the Government and university administrations against “oppressing” students. “(The university students) are genuinely concerned for the country and its people,” it said.
The TURUN protest, attended by a few hundred people, is currently being investigated by the police under the PAA.
Thirty individuals have been identified, and some have already been questioned.
Apart from controlling the prices of goods, protesters wanted ministers’ pay to be cut, Government subsidies to be continued, appropriate assistance to the people delivered and food security addressed. – July 26, 2022
