Joint Press Statement
2 October 2025
We, the undersigned organisations, strongly condemn the arrest of two protesters during a spontaneous, peaceful protest held outside the US Embassy at noon today in response to Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the detention of hundreds of activists, including 23 Malaysians. As a spontaneous assembly responding to unfolding events, the protest was entitled to adaptive facilitation—not punitive policing. Police had a positive obligation to facilitate the assembly; instead, their conduct was marked by unlawful and disproportionate force and clear breaches of due-process guarantees.
These arrests—reportedly for obstruction of civil servants from performing their duties (Section 186 of the Penal Code)—are unjustifiable when the police themselves actively obstructed the protesters’ constitutional right to peacefully assemble. Instead of enabling safe use of the pedestrian walkway outside the U.S. Embassy, officers blocked access and displaced protesters onto the roadway, manufacturing the very disruption later cited. Contrary to media reports, police are seen provoking the scuffle: a plainclothes Special Branch officer feigns being pushed by one of the arrestees while blocking him from rejoining fellow protesters. The second protester—seen attempting to de-escalate—was arrested nonetheless.
The force used by the police was unwarranted—arising from conditions the police themselves created. Both protesters were dragged and restrained by multiple police officers, held by both arms and around the neck, before being handcuffed. Other protesters who were attempting to defuse the situation were also manhandled without warning—shoved, pushed and forcibly restrained—needlessly endangering participants’ physical safety.
Both active provocation and use of excessive force mark a clear deterioration from the already restrictive approach seen at recent assemblies outside Parliament.
For four hours after the arrests, the authorities did not disclose where the two protesters were held. At the point of arrest, they were not informed where they would be taken and have been denied access to legal counsel, in breach of basic rights for arrested persons. It also remains unclear whether they have been given access to medical examination and treatment for the injuries sustained.
We demand for the immediate and unconditional release of both protesters. We also call on the Home Ministry to review police protocols and ensure that all officers adopt a facilitative, rights-based approach to managing assemblies. Amidst ongoing amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act, the Madani government must ensure that assembly policing practices reflect—not undermine its stated commitment to reform.
Endorsed Organisations:
- Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
- Amnesty International Malaysia
- Justice for Sisters
- Gerakan Gabungan Anti-Imperialis (GEGAR)
- Malaysian Protest 4 Palestine (MP4P)
- Angkatan Kesatuan Siswa Sosialis (AKSI)
- JEJAKA
- Students Against Genocide Malaysia (SAGM)
- Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
- Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM)
- SIUMAN Collective
- Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
- Artivist