The National Youth Federation of Malaysia has alleged that the police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) disrupted a peaceful book-reading and discussion event at Dataran Merdeka last Saturday.
The event, called “Diskusi dan Buku Jalanan”, was reportedly proceeding calmly before being approached by around 8 to 10 officers – three in DBKL uniforms and the rest in plain clothes.
According to the group, an officer from the Dang Wangi police station questioned whether they had submitted a notification letter to the district police chief.
“Must we now submit formal requests just to use public spaces for peaceful reading and discussion?” the group asked.
They said they were told to disperse but were not given any legal basis for the order.
The officers’ behaviour was described as intimidating and unfriendly, creating an unsafe environment for public learning and intellectual engagement.
The group said such gatherings should not be treated as criminal acts and urged the authorities to rethink their approach to public engagement.
They also said the incident highlighted the need for a clearer understanding of the role of authorities in protecting civil society and preserving public spaces as platforms for dialogue.
Despite the disruption, the group pledged to continue promoting open and accessible intellectual discourse, especially among youths.
They emphasised that public spaces must remain safe and free for community learning without fear of interference.
FMT has contacted the police and DBKL for comment.
