#FreeSarah: Activist Released After Impassioned Protest In Front Of Police Lockup
The 20-year-old was reportedly released at 1am this morning, 30 July.
By Ahmad Hamizan @ Mike Miz — 30 Jul 2021, 05:46 PM
20-year-old youth activist Sarah Irdina, who has been charged with Sedition, was released from police custody earlier this morning, 30 July
According to a report by Malaysiakini, she is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Sarah had earlier been called in for questioning at the Dang Wangi police station.
She was later transferred to a detention centre at the Jinjang police station from where she was released after being held for over ten hours at approximately 1am, reported The Vibes.
Her lawyer, Goh Cia Yee, posted this picture of Sarah at the police station.
Image via @gohciayee (Twitter)Her release came after an online and on ground solidarity movement, participated by everyday Malaysians and fellow activists
MISI Solidariti – the youth-led activist group of which Sarah is a co-founder – had created a hashtag #FreeSarah after news of her detainment filtered out.
This sparked a wave of social media posts from netizens who expressed their shock and outrage at the worrying turn of events.
Not long after, many of her fellow activists pulled up to the Jinjang police station, and made speeches in her name.
"We're here because the police are scared of us. They're scared of our power. Sarah is only one person but she is so powerful that they feel the need to keep her from us," said Irfan of youth group Undi18 in one of the clips shared online.
The youth wing of Parti Sosialis Malaysia had also held a candlelight vigil in solidarity in front of the Jinjang lockup.
The police investigation stemmed from social media posts by the youth-led group about the #Lawan movement
The tweet in question, posted on 1 July, had made three demands, which are:
1. The resignation of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
2. The convening of Parliament
3. The ending of the Emergency Proclamation
The movement is also set to culminate in a protest at Dataran Merdeka, tomorrow.
