Fadiah says not alone, the anti-monarchy movement is very big

Pakatan supporters pushing for the creation of the Republic of Malaysia

Lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, who is being investigated over an article which allegedly questioned the monarchy institution in Malaysia, says she is “not alone”.

Speaking outside the Brickfields police headquarters here today, Fadiah said she had received hundreds of messages of support and that she wasn’t alone.

Fadiah had come to the police station with her three lawyers to give her statement after police reports were lodged against her.

This came after the Pakatan Harapan activist allegedly questioned the existence of the monarchy institution, saying it was outdated and that it could no longer be accepted or defended.

Fadiah also questioned the action of the authorities in calling her in for questioning despite saying the country practised democracy.

“They say it’s a democracy but the authorities cannot accept criticism and have taken away my right to speak up.

“I’m not trying to be a hero, but I want us to be together. I am not alone because I have friends. If we don’t speak up now, then when will we?”

Before Fadiah went into the police station for questioning at 4pm, some 50 activists from various organisations, including Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Suaram and the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), gathered to show their support for her.

In her writing on the monarchy in her blog recently, Fadiah made a reference to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, where he had kissed the ruler’s hand.

Her comments led to a backlash from Malay rights group Perkasa, which urged police to investigate her for sedition and trying to incite hatred towards the Malay rulers.