The 'Walk for Peace and Freedom 2014'
Astro Awani
Oktober 16, 2014 13:51 MYT
Oktober 16, 2014 13:51 MYT
WALKING WITH A CAUSE: The Walk for Peace and Freedom 2014 saw about 600 lawyers and activists walking peacefully from Padang Merbok to Parliament building calling for the repeal of the Sedition Act. - Astro AWANI/Syafique Shuib
The Malaysian Bar Council's 'Walk for Peace and Freedom 2014' at the Padang Merbok car park saw some 600 members of the Bar Council and NGO representatives joining the walk of solidarity to repeal the Sedition Act 1948.
Bar Council president, Christopher Leong said the turnout from the NGOs was overwhelming although the gathering was an open platform solely dedicated to the Bar Council.
The peaceful assembly started as early as 10am.
A lawyer seen carrying a placard. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
10am: The lawyers, dressed in formal attire, arrive at Padang Merbok.
By 11am, around 600 lawyers and representative from various NGOs gather at the parking space before Bar Council president Christopher Leong began his speech.
Leong chanting "Mansuh... mansuh... Akta Hasutan!" - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
11am: Leong addresses the attendees: "We are not doing this for our selves, not for our friends alone, not for our family alone, but we do this for the future generation of Malaysians."
Leong leading the 'Walk for Peace and Freedom 2014'. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
11.40am: Leong leads the walk from Padang Merbok to Parliament building. During the walk, they chant: "Mansuh... mansuh... Akta Hasutan!"
The walk being done peacefully and does not disrupt traffic flow - Astro AWANI/Syafique Shuib
11.50am: The hot weather at 30 degrees celsius does not dampen the mood of the lawyers and activists walking the one kilometer journey.
The Parliament gates heavily guarded by the police. - Astro AWANI/Syafique Shuib
Noon: Lawyers, activists and the media arrived the Parliament gates. Leong and nine other representatives from the Bar Council enter the Parliament to present the memorandum.
Once inside, the memorandum is given to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mah Siew Keong, who then presented it to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Leong addresses the public and media after giving the memorandum to Mah. – Astro AWANI/Syafique Shuib
"We have achieved what we set out to do today, but today is not the end. Today is the start of our process and campaign for a better Malaysia.
"I would like to give you good news. The Prime Minister has, via Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mah Siew Keong, received us in Parliament. We had a fruitful discussion. He (Mah) had assured us that all of your views contained in the memorandum will be conveyed to the Prime Minister.
"Change in Malaysia does not happen instantaneously. It takes time," Leong says.