#Lawan Organisers Plan Protest On 31 July Despite Being Fined For Assembly During MCO
The coalition believes the government lacks the credibility to navigate the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Jananey Ramachandran — 23 Jul 2021, 02:54 PM
On Saturday, 17 July, a group of 20 protesters, dressed in black, executed a small-scale protest at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur
According to New Straits Times, the group, known as Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR), were protesting to express their dissatisfaction against the government for alleged failure in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are also the organisers of the #Lawan protest online, which involved a mass display of black flags across social media.
Dang Wangi police chief ACP Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said SSR is a coalition of political parties, namely Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (PEJUANG), Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH), and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
At Dataran Merdeka, they brought effigies of corpses to symbolise the rising number of deaths and rampant suicides due to the pandemic and 14 black flags to convey people's anger from across Malaysia.
Their demands include for the Prime Minister to resign, a full parliamentary session to be held, and an automatic moratorium for all.
However, Dang Wangi police swiftly dispersed the illegal demonstration and fined the organisers
"A Movement Control Order (MCO) compliance team accompanied by officers from Dang Wangi led by Superintendent Naazron Abdul Yusoff rushed to the scene at 3pm and ordered the group to disperse immediately," said Mohamad Zainal.
Three of the organisers were compounded RM2,000 for breaching pandemic regulations under Article 10 Regulations and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures in Local Areas of Infection) (National Recovery Plan) 2021, which is the prohibition of assembly.
Despite the action taken, SSR announced yet another street demonstration, calling for the public to protest on 31 July
On Wednesday, 21 July, they released a statement saying that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government lacked credibility in navigating the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic and it has made an impact on the economy and people's lives.
"It is time for the people to have leaders who are self-aware, responsible, and humble in understanding the pulse of the people," SSR said.
SSR added that they are not seeking to be enemies with anyone except those in power who are insensitive to the hardships experienced by the people.
