Anwar said that so far no one has alleged that the protestors had violated any standard operating procedures or did anything that could compromise the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite this, numerous individuals linked to Saturday’s protest have been summoned to give their statement to the police, he said.

“Calling the various leaders, politicians and activists involved in this peaceful protest to give their statement is of great concern and also rings with the familiarity of police harassment,” the PKR president said in a statement.

He added that police must uphold transparency and follow proper procedure.

“No one should be afraid to speak up or to express their opinions in a democratic society such as ours.

“For many, protesting is the only way to flex their constitutionally-protected powers and any encroachment on this should be rectified swiftly,” Anwar said.

It was reported that some 100 demonstrators had marched towards Parliament but stopped at Padang Merbok where they held a silent sitting vigil for 18 minutes.

Among those who took part in the gathering were former deputy minister Hannah Yeoh, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah and members of electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0.

Yesterday, activist Amir Abd Hadi said he and 10 others had been contacted by police over the gathering.

Their actions were in response to the Election Commission’s (EC) announcement last week that the automatic registration of 18-year-olds as voters could only be implemented after September next year.

The EC said the movement restrictions had hampered its planning and preparations.

The law on lowering the minimum voting age to 18 was amended in July 2019, after receiving unanimous support in the Dewan Rakyat.