A LAWYERS’ group has hit out at the new government for allowing police to question four Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) students over their involvement in activist Fahmi Reza’s Kelas Demokrasi in Penang last month.

Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek said political activism and awareness is not a crime

“It is an exercise of free speech and assembly that is protected under articles 10(1)(a) and 10(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution,” Zaid said.

“LFL is appalled that the students, three of whom merely attended the event and one who only replied to Fahmi’s post on Twitter, were called up by the police for questioning.”

Zaid said it is particularly disappointing that this is happening under a government led by “reformist” Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan.

“Where are the promises of yesteryears?” he said.

“A healthy democratic process depends on a free marketplace of ideas in any form, whether it happens online or physically, and it must be protected from police action.

“There is no reason for the students to have been called up by the police or that a police investigation should be conducted into Fahmi Reza’s Kelas Demokrasi.”

Zaid said Fahmi’s talk was said to have been non-partisan, adding that people should be able to discuss the democratic process as well as the political development of the country without fear of clampdowns.

He said PH had promised in its manifesto to allow freedom of speech.

“This promise must be kept. Otherwise, it will be a flagrant breach of a solemn undertaking given to voters,” Zaid said, adding that the inspector-general of police (IGP) must immediately stop the investigation into Kelas Demokrasi and other such events.

Fahmi, a graphic artist, was previously charged for his satirical art on politicians but recently gained attention for his Kelas Demokrasi forum, in which he spoke about democracy ahead of the general election so that students could make informed decisions at the ballot box. – December 8, 2022.