ELECTORAL watchdog Bersih 2.0 has said the Home Ministry and the police should change their approach to dealing with street protests.

“The authorities, especially Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin and the police, should be more accommodating, rather than blocking or preventing the people from gathering and expressing their dissatisfaction in a peaceful and orderly manner,” the organisation said in a statement today.

“Preventing or blocking any peaceful assembly is a backward attitude and a waste of resources, especially for the police.”

“The police and the Home Ministry should be assisting the protestors, and change their approach in 2022 to be more democratic,” it said.

The #TangkapAzamBaki rally was organised by civil society groups and the youth wings of several opposition parties following the controversy surrounding Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki.

The protesters demanded his arrest, following his controversial share dealings in 2015 and 2016.

The several hundred-strong rally started at Bangsar LRT station at 11am and ended at 12.45pm.

Rally organisers, including Muda party members, are among 19 people called up by the police for questioning.

According to Brickfields district police chief Amihizam Abdul Shukor, the protest is being probed under section 505 (b) of the penal code, section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and regulations under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

Bersih condemned the investigation of young activists whose rights were protected under article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

“This random investigation is a form of harassment and intimidation to citizens who only want to exercise their constitutional rights, especially when the assembly is proven to be peaceful. The right to assemble is a human right and they should not be treated as if they are criminals who want to create chaos or damage,” it said. – January 25, 2022.