PARTICIPANTS of the youth-led Parlimen Digital initiative did not break any law, which makes the police investigation into their activities an act of intimidation, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) said.

The legal rights advocacy group said youth involvement in political discourse should instead be encouraged because it would benefit Malaysia’s democracy, said LFL co-ordinator Zaid Malek.

“This unwarranted probe is highly questionable as these participants have not broken any laws to prompt a police investigation,” Malek said.

“Since the authorities have not stated why they are questioning the participants, we can only conclude that this is an act of intimidation meant to discourage and deter youths from being vocal and involved in political discourse, a part of the worrisome trend of recent police probes on political dissenters,” he said in a statement.

The mock virtual parliament session, organised by three independent youth bodies, was held over Saturday and Sunday to show how Parliament could convene using teleconferencing, as has been carried out in several countries during the Covid-19 outbreak.

On May 18, Malaysia held its first parliamentary session for the year but limited it to just two hours to hear the Royal Address, citing concerns about Covid-19.

This has drawn criticism from various quarters and the opposition, who accuse the Perikatan Nasional government of dodging accountability and parliamentary oversight.

However, the Parlimen Digital initiative caught the attention of the police, which contacted some of the young participants on Saturday.

Organisers have said the objectives of the police calls were unclear.

The organisers, Challenger Malaysia, Undi18 and Liga Demokratik Malaysia, also stressed that the initiative was a neutral activity, and that the youths selected were not picked based on any political affiliation or leaning.

LFL said police should immediately stop the investigation as the youths who were simulating parliamentary proceedings were merely exercising their freedom of expression, which is protected by the federal constitution.

“Any action taken against them is a flagrant abuse of their rights,” LFL said. – July 6, 2020.