PETALING JAYA: It is unwarranted for the police to summon 13 individuals to have their statements recorded over the "Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah" anti-corruption rally on Jan 25, says PKR Youth.
In a statement Saturday (Feb 1), PKR Youth communications director Haziq Azfar said this was because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had assured the public that the government would not obstruct the assembly.
"Even though the authorities are acting based on procedure, the decision to call up participants of the peaceful rally should be reconsidered and withdrawn as it does not align with the current government's policies and approach," Haziq said in the statement.
It was reported that the rally went on peacefully in Kuala Lumpur despite a modest turnout.
The rally was organised by various non-governmental organisations and student activists.
The rally participants gathered in front of the Sogo shopping mall at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman while carrying anti-corruption-themed banners and placards at about 2pm before marching to Dataran Merdeka.
They subsequently ended up in front of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad.
The rally, which was also monitored by about 200 police officers and personnel, ended at about 4.30pm.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the rally was peaceful without any untoward incident.
"For now, we can confirm the rally ended peacefully after we deployed sufficient personnel to facilitate it.
"Our main goal is to ensure the safety of not only the rally participants but other people as well at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and visitors at Dataran Merdeka," he said.