A DAP leader criticised the authorities for issuing compounds on three activists of Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) over a flash mob held on Saturday.
“This is uncalled for and the police went overboard. It’s undemocratic and unreasonable for various reasons.
“The flash mob was a peaceful protest and did not obstruct anyone or cause any property damage. Plus, participants also adhered strictly to COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP),” said Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, in a statement.
SSR held a flash mob at Dataran Merdeka in an attempt to issue three demands to the Government; which are the resignation of Prime Minister Tan Sri Mahiaddin Yassin, the Parliament to be reconvened with debates being allowed and automatic loan moratoriums extended to everyone.
Yesterday, three SSR members; Mohammad Abdullah Alshatri, Mohd Asraf Sharafi Mohd Azhar and Muhammad Nur Taufiq Azhar – were slapped with RM2,000 fines each by the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, right after being questioned there for over three hours.
The compounds were issued for breach of Regulation 10 of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Measures within Infected Local Areas) (National Recovery Plan) 2021, which prohibits demonstrations.
Touching on the matter, Lim said it found it absurd that peaceful protests were banned while businesses were allowed to operate, despite following SOP.
“Besides, with the Parliament not in session, elected representatives are unable to talk about the people’s grievances.
“We must listen to the rakyat and the protest is a way for them to voice out their frustrations,” he opined.
Lim also decried the double standards practiced by the authorities, claiming the latter was slow in punishing VVIPs who breach SOP but quick on ordinary citizens.
He later announced that Federal Territories DAP will offer legal service to the three activists, on a pro bono basis, if they wish to challenge the compounds in court.
“There is no reason to penalise the people for expressing their views, as long as they comply with the SOP,” Lim reasoned. – July 19, 2021.
