Opposition MPs’ March to Call For PM Mahiaddin’s Resignation Cut Short by Police in Riot Gear

Postpone all Parliament activities over two-week period from July 29, says Health DG | The Star
source: The Star

In light of the recent announcement by Health DG Noor Hisham that parliament will be postponed for at least 2 weeks due to high risks of Covid-19, opposition MPs are up in arms calling the decision “ridiculous.”

Due to that, the opposition claimed that they would still show-up for parliament on Monday today (August 2) and they have kept their promise.

LIVE: Police block opposition MPs' march on Parliament | Malaysia | The Vibes
source: The Vibes

Today, all roads leading to parliament were closed but it didn’t stop the 107 opposition lawmakers from gathering at Dataran Merdeka.

After being denied entrance, the opposition ministers began their march to parliament from Dataran Merdeka accompanied with a banner with the words ‘Mahiaddin & Kabinet Letak Jawatan’ in bold red letters, calling for their resignation.

Amongst those present were Anwar Ibrahim, ex-PM Mahathir Mohamad, Syed Saddiq, Lim Guan Eng, Mat Sabu, Hannah Yeoh and Mukhriz Mahathir.

MP Kelvin Yii assured that most if not all ministers present were fully-vaccinated and precautions were taken to ensure that their march is safe.

source: Twitter @hannahyeoh

Anwar Ibrahim made an announcement saying, “We are gathered here to say that, in terms of the numbers of MPs, Muhyiddin’s government has fallen today.”

As they marched, they chanted the phrases, ‘Reformasi’, ‘Hidup Rakyat, and ‘Daulat Tuanku’. Some even walked barefoot.

Anwar says 107 MPs 'have made their point' as march ends

Their march was abruptly stopped by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) in riot gear, blocking their path to parliament. Lim Guan Eng tried to negotiate with the FRU but to no avail.

Syed Saddiq called the current establishment a “morally bankrupt government.”

Malaysian youth converge on Dataran Merdeka for #Lawan protest | Malaysia | Malay Mail
source: Malay Mail

In the wake of the #LAWAN protest that took the internet by storm with photos and videos depicting youths of Malaysia decked-out in all-black clothing and waving black flags, the government insisted that demonstrations of this kind are not the way to voice out concerns.

Recently, police investigations and probes have begun to identify and convict those present at the protest, much to the disapproval of NGOs such as Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Syed Saddiq said that the government had advised the people to use proper channels instead of protesting, however, those channels are not available due to parliament’s closure.

He continued, “If this isn’t being cowardly, I don’t know what is.”