The aftermath of the anti-kleptocracy rally sees Petaling Jaya municipal councillor Lim Yi Wei questioned by the police over her role in organising the event at Padang Timur.
Yesterday evening, Lim, a secretariat member of the anti-kleptocracy rally, was at the Petaling Jaya police district headquarters for about 40 minutes to have her statement recorded.
Lim, who is also political secretary to DAP’s Tony Pua, said she was questioned on her background and the rally, the Malay Mail reported.
“We have been very cooperative with the police from the start. We notified police more than 10 days before the rally in accordance with the PAA. When the police wrote back to us, we went to meet them.
“They did not give any indication whether I will be charged. But I hope that’s not the case because we have the right to assemble under the PAA,” Lim was quoted as saying.
She is reportedly being investigated under Section 15(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012.
On Oct 14, police had vowed to take “necessary action” against the organisers if they insisted on holding the event at Padang Timur without approval.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim had said the rally could not proceed at the venue as residents in the area had objected to it being held there.
Noor Rashid’s statement was made a day after Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun had advised the organisers to hold the event at the Kelana Jaya Stadium instead.
The rally which featured opposition leaders, including Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, saw thousands throng Padang Timur.
The mixed crowd of Malays, Chinese and Indians comprised mostly middle-aged to older people.
People started arriving about an hour before the rally kicked off at 4pm, with the crowd building up later in the evening when the weather was cooler.
Many of those who showed up came in the signature red rally T-shirt.
The gathering went on peacefully amidst a carnival atmosphere, with minimal police presence.
The rally focused on corruption, kleptocracy and the 1MDB issue, with several top opposition leaders delivering speeches.
Dr Mahathir said Pakatan Harapan vowed to make Malaysia among the top 10 “cleanest” nations in the world by 2030.
He stated five measures that the opposition pact would undertake in its first 100 days in power, should it win the 14th general election, namely arresting MO1 and other “sharks”; setting up a royal commission of inquiry into the misappropriation of funds from 1MDB and Felda; setting up and independent body to return assets and money that were stolen or misappropriated back to the people; making MACC an independent agency that reports straight to Parliament; and ridding the practice of “direct negotiation” for all government contracts.
The crowd cheered and clapped when Mahathir pledged to offer more scholarships, and reinstate sugar and petrol subsidies.
Guan Eng pledged that Pakatan would abolish the goods and services tax (GST) if it wins the next general election.
“And the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) will be given to all Malaysians. The rakyat will get the money,” said Lim.
Both pledges were greeted with ecstatic claps, cheers and hoots.
Political leaders aside, others who addressed the crowd included national laureate A Samad Said who recited a poem, lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan and Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah.
Ambiga called on Malaysians to end six decades of Barisan Nasional rule.
“We don’t deserve this kind of (dishonest) government, which has been ruling for 60 years.
“It is enough. Don’t give them 61 (years). Now it is the time for a change.
“The power is in the hands of the people. If we love Malaysia, we must take action in the next election,” Ambiga said.
Maria said the people had to put a stop to executives who had been abusing their power, especially Najib.
“It is up to the people to stand up and free Malaysia from tyranny.
“The only way they can do this is through the ballot box. Don’t boycott the election. If all Malaysians come out and vote, we can change the government,” Maria said.
Red Shirts leader Jamal Yunos did not turn up despite threatening to set up a fish stall at the venue.
His spokesman said Jamal decided not to make an appearance at the rally due to the insistence of authorities that he stayed away from the location.
“What lah, selling fish can also get me arrested. I’m tired of being locked up,” said Jamal in a message in a media WhatsApp group, The Star reported.
Earlier reports:
Oct 13, Police Advise Jamal Yunos to Stay Away from Anti-Kleptocracy Rally
June 30, Opposition’s Love Malaysia, End Kleptocracy Campaign