DAPSY Selangor is extremely disappointed and condemns the arrest of 16 students who were participating in a peaceful protest outside Parliament. I myself was there just an hour before the said arrest was made. The students were not making a scene, not causing any disturbances in the area.
Instead, they were peacefully protesting, exercising their rights guaranteed under Article 10 (2) (b) of the Federal Constitution. This matter has already been decided by the Court of Appeal, in its decision in the case of Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
We applaud the bravery and conviction of these students for standing up for their believes. We also applaud them for doing so in peaceful manner. These arrest will not strike in us. Malaysians from all walks of live who have planned to attend Bersih 4.0 this weekend will not be deterred by this action, but instead this will only inspire us to stand up with fellow Malaysians against abuse of power by the authorities.
The Court of Appeal has spoken. The Bar Council and Suhakam has in the past week also stated and reminded us of our rights to peaceful assembly. We call upon the Police to uphold the constitution, as their sacred duty, and not bow the whims and fancies of Putrajaya.