Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa said the demonstration proceeded despite the rally organiser failing to obtain the consent of the land owner, Perbadanan Putrajaya, as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act.
“As such, the police have opened an investigation paper under Section 9(5) of the Act,” Rusdi said in a statement.
“Twelve individuals, including the organisers, have been identified to provide statements in the near future.”
Under Section 9(5), any person found to have violated the notification requirements could be fined up to RM10,000, upon conviction.
Yesterday, the participants gathered and called for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step down. They chanted “Allahuakbar”, “Lawan, lawan Anwar” (Fight Anwar), “Undur, undur Anwar”, as well as “Halau (reject) BlackRock”.
Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali, Bersatu members Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz and Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, were among those sighted at the rally.
On Thursday, the Demi Negara movement had said it would proceed with the demonstration despite a police warning that it was illegal.
Rally organiser Aidil Yunus said the rally-goers would make eight demands, including a call to stop the increase in the price of RON95 petrol, address the local rice shortage, and tackle unaddressed issues resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the rally would also call on the government to address the rising cost of living, protect public healthcare staff, ensure fair wages, uphold the freedom of speech, and maintain economic sovereignty.
Aidil also denied any need to obtain the consent of the land owner as “this land is not private property, it’s funded by taxpayers”.
In a statement, Demi Negara revealed that Aidil had been summoned to the Putrajaya police headquarters at 2pm tomorrow.
It also said others being investigated include Rafique, Faisal, lawyer Zubir Embong, former DAP member Alex Shee, MCA member Michelle Foo, as well as influencers Tunku Intan Abdul Hamid (Dayangku Intan) and Siti Zulaikha Olivia (Mak Iban Olivia).
Demi Negara added that it will hold a press conference outside the Putrajaya police headquarters at 3.30pm tomorrow.