Dozens gathered outside the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur today to show support to the protesters who had been summoned for questioning.
Members of various political parties were among those who arrived at the station today following Saturday’s protest against the Election Commission’s decision to delay the lowering of the voting age. Police were investigating the event outside the Parliament building for failing to notify authorities in advance and for possibly breaching COVID-19 measures.
“We hope these acts of intimidation will stop soon, and that the government will recognize that 18 to 21-year-olds deserve the rights to cast their votes,” Amir Hadi from youth-led party Muda told reporters outside the police station.
Seven others gave their statements to the police today. They were opposition youth chief Shazni Munir, Howard Lee from the Democratic Action Party, Chua Tian Chang from the People’s Justice Party, Sharan Raj and Arveent Kathirtchelvan from the Malaysia Socialist Party, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, and Ketari MP Young Syefura Othman.
Former education minister Maszlee Malik, lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan, and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh will be called up next.
Hundreds had turned up at Saturday’s protest in response to the decision to delay the lowering of Malaysia’s voting age. The Election Commission had promised to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 by July, but that has since been pushed to September 2022. The postponement led to uproar as many anticipated an election to take place after the state of emergency expires in August.
Human rights organization Amnesty has condemned the “selective harassment” of protesters, calling the police investigation an attempt to “silence” ordinary Malaysians.
CIJ together with several civil society members were at IPD Dang Wangi today to show their support and solidarity for Undi18 participants and organisers.#Undi18 #FreedomofExpression pic.twitter.com/YcDHIVifbC
— Centre for Independent Journalism (@CIJ_Malaysia) March 30, 2021
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