YOUTH-LED movement Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) is unperturbed by the ongoing police investigation into the group for leading a protest in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, saying they will continue to resist the government.

Its spokesman, Mohd Asraf Sharafi Mohd Azhar, said the group will continue to resist and plan a much bigger protest if their demands are not met.

“We will not back down as long as our demands are not fulfilled. We shall not be silenced and will continue to fight,” said Asraf.

The group has demanded for the resignation of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, a full parliamentary meeting and an automatic loan moratorium for all to help ease the economic hardship caused by Covid-19 lockdowns.

Dang Wangi police today recorded statements of 11 people who took part in Saturday’s Keluar Dan #Lawan (come out and fight) rally near Dataran Merdeka.

Asraf said more participants will be called up by the police with another session scheduled for tomorrow.

Police are investigating the rally organisers and participants under Regulation 17(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) (National Recovery Plan) Regulations 2021 as well as Section 21 of Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act.

Asraf said the rally had complied with the strict standard operating procedures.

“Human Rights Commission of Malaysia even confirmed that the rally goers and organisers followed the SOP,” he said.

“We made it clear that parents or high-risk groups were not encouraged to join.”

At the rally, participants carried black flags as well as placards and banners with scathing slogans, such as “Kita mati dalam derhaka” (We’ll die treasonous) and “kerajaan pembunuh” (murderous government), in reference to the government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis, which has killed more than 8,000 people.

Some participants also carried effigies wrapped in white cloth to symbolise Covid-19 victims. Five effigies were also placed on a road near Dataran Merdeka.

SSR is the same group that earlier organised the black flag protest on social media as well as at Dataran Merdeka on July 17 to condemn the Perikatan Nasional government’s mishandling of the pandemic. – August 2, 2021.