PKR Youth chief Adam Adli maintained that the right to assemble was provided for in the Constitution, pointing out that organisers of other student protests and an Amanah rally last Friday were also hauled up by the police.

“We see this as a continuous form of intimidation. This year alone, there have been many times when peaceful protesters have been summoned by the police.

“This needs to end, stop suppressing the people for merely voicing their opinions and demands,” he said at a press conference outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters (IPD).

Adam added that the police should not investigate those who assemble to protest but instead focus on cases of corruption and abuse of power, saying this would be more beneficial for the country.

Perak PKR Youth exco Afiq Ayob said the group should not have been summoned by the police as the student protest had not caused any problems.

“It seems as though gatherings of any kind is now a crime in Malaysia, with even a programme by youths urging the government to control the prices of goods being investigated by the police.”

Lawyer Kamil Munim, who is the new deputy PKR Youth chief, was one of the lawyers who went with the group to the IPD.

Others who were summoned include the chairman of PKR Youth’s student wing Syamil Luthfi and Petaling Jaya PKR Youth chief Bryan Ng.

The PKR Youth members had taken part in a demonstration near Pasar Seni on Saturday, to protest the rising cost of living which they claim had affected university students.

They demanded that the government cut ministers’ salaries, continue subsidies, provide substantial financial aid to the poor, control the prices of goods, and solve the issue of food shortage.

The group was investigated for alleged violations of Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act for not having permission to assemble.