GE14 | Law lecturer Azmi Sharom has suggested that those who believe the general election is "dirty" and want to protest against it should do so by going on a two-week strike.

In a forum in Kuala Lumpur last night, Azmi was asked what the people should do if the general election "is conducted in a dirty manner".

Citing the federal constitution, Azmi said the people were free to protest if they believed that the election had been “dirty”.

"This is our right, it's enshrined in the constitution, it's something we can do in a peaceful manner.

"If we are not satisfied, we should show our dissatisfaction to whoever that is in power."

The people, he said, have power in their hands but many do not realise this.

"If we want to do something in a peaceful manner, it's easy.

"Don't go to work. How will the country function if we don't go to work for two weeks?

"The government doesn't run the country, we run the country," he said to applause from those present at the forum.

Azmi further pointed out that there was not much the government could do if the people decide not to go to work for "two weeks, three weeks or one month".

"We are the ones that make this country work, not the government. So let's not forget that," he added.

Meanwhile, should an alternative government win in the election, Azmi said it must ensure that it abolishes the laws it has promised to repeal within the first six months after winning the election.

"They should remove all these bad laws.

"If Pakatan Harapan wins, the first six months are crucial. We should give them a honeymoon of only one week and then it's back to work," he said.

Malaysia will go to the polls on May 9.

Azmi was among four panellists who spoke about what it truly means to be a patriot.

The other three panellists were social activist Marina Mahathir, prominent lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan and incumbent Sungai Siput lawmaker Dr Michael Jeyakumar.

The forum was organised by the Jalur Gemilang movement.