Malaysians are taking to the streets today at 11 a.m. under the #Lawan campaign organised by Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) to protest the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1420709536806039554?s=20
The demands are for the prime minister and his cabinet to step down, a parliamentary session to be held in full and an automatic moratorium on loan repayments. lawanmalaysia.carrd.co/#more-info
After 7 months under the Emergency Ordinance and a month of lockdown, the government has not been able to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Daily cases have been rising consistently.
On 28 July, the country saw a record high of 17,405 infections in a day. malaysiakini.com/news/584907
The #Lawan campaign started on 10 July with Malaysians waving black flags in front of their homes, wearing black and taking to social media to express their frustrations.
On 17 July, SSR held a protest reiterating its demands at Dataran Merdeka. They flew 14 black flags to represent all the states and territories in Malaysia and carried mock dead bodies to the historic square. thevibes.com/articles/news/…
A vehicle convoy demonstration was also held on 24 July. Protesters flew black flags from their cars in different parts of Malaysia. More than 30 participants from the protest were called in for questioning by the police. freemalaysiatoday.com/category/natio…
On 29 July, #Lawan activist Sarah Irdina of @MSolidariti was arrested under Section 4(1) of the 1948 Sedition Act. Her phone was confiscated and a search warrant was issued to raid her home.
https://twitter.com/MSolidariti/status/1420689270017200130?s=20
The police have closed roads in the city centre ahead of the protests:
https://twitter.com/msianinsight/status/1421290261666144258?s=20
Protesters have started to gather in Masjid Jamek and will attempt to walk towards Dataran Merdeka from there.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1421296868156350465?s=20
Protestors hold a banner that says Kerajaan Gagal, which means Failed Government. The phrase has trended regularly on social media as the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia worsens.
https://twitter.com/msianinsight/status/1421302849300877313?s=20
Chants of Hidup Rakyat have started. Hidup rakyat is often chanted at Malaysian protests and can be translated as long live the people.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1421302811032121344?s=20
Protestors are reminded to maintain social distancing. In the protest guide, the organisers have provided safety tips on keeping yourself safe from COVID-19, such as avoid sharing personal items and reduce the frequency of lowering your mask.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1421303934077919233?s=20
In the lead up to the protest, lawyers have offered their numbers for legal aid. Lawyers are currently present at the protest site to provide legal assistance.
https://twitter.com/Elill_E/status/1421304493245755404?s=20
@AbinayaDhivya, a protestor, tells New Naratif that protestors are still gathering at Masjid Jamek and continuing to maintain social distancing.
Across SEA, protestors have referenced pop culture and memes during protests. The trend continues at today’s #Lawan protest. Picture from @AbinayaDhivya. 
@AbinayaDhivya estimates that there are more than 500 people currently, though it’s hard to accurately tell with the social distancing measures.
A live stream of the #Lawan protest is available on YouTube:
Organisers are negotiating with police for access to Dataran Merdeka.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1421314456877895688?s=20
The organisers are asking people to tweet in support for access to Dataran Merdeka.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1421316161531125761?s=20
Another protestor tells New Naratif that they are still waiting on the side of Masjid Jamek road as organisers continue to negotiate with the police.
The above source reports at least one helicopter is circling overhead.
Our source tells us protestors were asked to sit while maintaining social distancing instead of standing more than once as negotiations with the police continue.
Our source tells us that the police are making rounds and photographing protestors’ signs.
Protestors are now singing the national anthem.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1421324649783185409?s=20
Some of the lyrics that can be heard:
Di bawah kuasa tirani
Ku susuri garis jalan ini
Berjuta kali turun aksi
Bagiku satu langkah pasti
Di bawah kuasa tirani
Ku susuri garis jalan ini
Berjuta kali turun aksi
Bagiku satu langkah pasti
https://twitter.com/imnormgoh/status/1421324663737618433?s=20
The above can be roughly translated as:
Under the power of tyranny
I follow this road
I'm ready for action millions of times
That's one sure step for me
Under the power of tyranny
I follow this road
I'm ready for action millions of times
That's one sure step for me
Protestors hold up placards with the number of COVID-19 deaths and active cases.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1421327073826664451?s=20
The protest is now dispersing.
https://twitter.com/UNDI18MY/status/1421329183418904576?s=20
Key organisers and participants are being called in for investigation by the police.
https://twitter.com/imnormgoh/status/1421414873712398342?s=20
Organisers from yesterday's #Lawan protest have just left Dang Wangi police station after being summoned for questioning.
https://twitter.com/limyuekin/status/1422058033367060482?s=20
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