ONE million cases 10,000 deaths, 1,000 suicides.

Malaysia is on the brink of collapse. None of our government’s ‘solutions’ have worked. We have been through MCOs, FMCOs, EMCOs, with no improvements.

Our doctors are exhausted, marginalised communities are going hungry and the economic downturn has hurt millions of lives.

The government has also done nothing about a record 12 custodial deaths since January 1. The fact is: the Perikatan Nasional administration has failed us.

Refusing to stand by while the rakyat suffer, Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) has been loudly protesting the government’s failures online, using the hashtag #Lawan.

This Saturday, it is taking their resistance to the streets. Now the question is: why should we join their protest in the midst of a raging pandemic?

Protests are utilised to disrupt the status quo and when they are executed with the right amount of strength, institutions will have to respond.

In Malaysia’s current state, we need the administration to respond. The PN government’s complete disregard for freedom of speech and utilisation of silencing methods have left us without a voice.

In a supposedly democratic nation, the rakyat have no say. This is further substantiated by the five-day Parliament session, which involved no debates and an absolute lack of clarity on the emergency ordinances, among other pressing issues.

Hence why protesting is our last stand to save Malaysia from the clutches of this pandemic and to resuscitate our crippled democracy.

Yes, the numbers are certainly worrying, but if not now, then when? When we hit 50,000 cases a day?

From an epidemiological perspective, there are certainly risks of increasing the spread of Covid-19, but the only way Malaysia will survive this disaster is for reliable leadership to take charge.

To achieve this, loud, disruptive protests are incredibly vital. If you are worried about contracting Covid-19 or spreading it to your loved ones, the current trajectory leads to that very outcome regardless.

Protest for your family and friends. For our underappreciated front-liners who have been worked to the bone.

For our marginalised communities that have been pushed to the sidelines. Protest for our futures. The government has left us to fend for ourselves during this devastating pandemic.

Its incompetence is essentially the biggest threat to our public health system. By protesting, our demands and suggested solutions to their failures are brought to the forefront of public discussion, pressuring the government to act on them.

We are not resisting out of ignorance, but out of sheer necessity. For every family member and friend who would still be alive if it was not for this government’s selfish politicking.

The protest is fuelled by the faith that there will be change; that our solidarity and resistance in the face of adversity will save our country and her people.

Now, that we’ve explained the necessities of protesting during this pandemic, will you #Lawan for Malaysia this Saturday?

There are measures that we can take to reduce their risk of infection and transmission at demonstrations.

If you are symptomatic or have recently been exposed to someone with Covid-19, do not attend the protest.

Double mask, strongly consider wearing a face shield.

Bring hand sanitiser and use it frequently. Maintain physical distancing during the protest. – July 29, 2021.

* Loh Kar Mun, Sun Cheng Kidd, and Nithiyah read The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.