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Rally at Malaysian Embassy protests arrest of activists in KL

Source
Jakarta Post - July 1, 2011

Jakarta – Activists from several local NGOs have urged the Malaysian government to release Malaysian activists from the Socialist Party of Malaysia who were captured by their government for allegedly campaigning for communism.

The 30 activists from the Socialist Party of Malaysia were allegedly captured and harassed by Malaysian police on June 28, amid an upcoming parliamentary election.

Around 25 activists are currently gathering in front of the Malaysian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The group were heard shouting "Malaysia anti-democracy!" at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Mahendra Kusumawardhana, a spokesperson for the protest, told The Jakarta Post that they were demanding for the Malaysian government to stop its assault on people's freedom of expression and to release the activists immediately. "We give them two days to release the activists," he said.

Mahendra said that fellow democracy activists at Australia, Thailand and the Philippines were also protesting to Malaysian representatives in their respective countries.

Activists joining the rally were from several groups, including the Political Committee of The Poor (KPRM-PRD), Reorganize Committee – Working People Association (KPO-PRP), Political Union of the Poor (PPRM), Inter-Factory Labor Forum (FBLP) and Perempuan Mahardika. (rpt)

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