The Coalition of Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) calls on the police to stop the intimidation and pressure on youth activists who gathered at the “Himpunan Tuntut Undi18” on 27 March 2021.
The police must respect the people’s freedom to express their demands, more so the demand that the government respect the decision of the Parliament on the implementation of the lowering of the voting age to 18.
Eleven rally participants were called by the police for investigation under Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act and Regulation 11 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) (Conditional MCO) (No. 4) Regulations 2021.
Bersih 2.0 reminds the authorities, especially the police, not to abuse this act for the political interests of certain parties and to respect Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the people the freedom of speech and of peaceful assembly.
Such acts of intimidation are a waste of police time and resources, which would be better channelled towards fighting crimes that endanger the safety of the people and the country.
Bersih 2.0 steering committee
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