On May 11 (Sunday), a group of youths claimed their street book discussion was abruptly interrupted when several law enforcement officers showed up and told them to disperse by 10 PM, according to a Facebook post.
The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) has since responded to the incident, saying the group was approached by officers from both PDRM and DBKL (including those in uniform) during their reading session at Dataran Merdeka.
“Reading in public spaces isn’t a crime”
In a statement, MUDA stood by the group, saying they did nothing wrong and urged PDRM and DBKL to take a more balanced and respectful approach.
“This isn’t just about rules or enforcement, but it’s about how we treat public spaces, our youth, and the culture of learning,” the party said.
They also questioned why young people were being intimidated just for reading in public.
“Reading, discussing, and gathering peacefully in public spaces aren’t crimes. If youths are being confronted just for reading books, we really have to ask ourselves: Is this what our country wants to prioritise?”
“Authorities should focus on real problems”
MUDA called on the authorities to focus on issues that actually affect public safety and justice, instead of cracking down on young people who just want to encourage a culture of thinking.
“Our country is facing some serious challenges, from unresolved major crimes and the spread of extremist ideas, to a lack of transparency and justice that still hasn’t been properly addressed. In times like these, authorities should be focusing their energy on real problems, not intimidating youths trying to make a difference.”
They also expressed full support and solidarity with the organisers and participants of the book discussion, saying these youths reflect the kind of values society needs more of: openness, curiosity, and the spirit to build a wiser Malaysia.
MUDA calls on PDRM and DBKL to adopt a more balanced approach that respects the spirit of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful access to public spaces.
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