KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGP) Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay have been criticised over their warnings issued to organisers of the planned Malaysia Day protest led by Perikatan National (PN).
Human rights organisation Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) said “the persecuted PH appear to have turned persecutors” for citing the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA), which they once criticised, against the current opposition.
“Ministers and MPs from Pakatan Harapan are well aware of the repressive nature of the PAA, as they were similarly harassed and persecuted for purported violations of the PAA when they held rallies while in opposition.
“It is for this reason that PH previously called for the abolition of the PAA. It is appalling to note that several ministers and MPs from Pakatan Harapan have echoed the warning issued by the DIGP against the planned protest on Malaysia Day, under the very same law that they were once victims of.
“All this despite the fact that there is no indication whatsoever that the rally will not be peaceful. Has Pakatan Harapan now totally abandoned any and all of their previous beliefs and convictions?” asked LFL director Zaid Malek in a statement today.
He added that Ayob Khan’s statement on taking action against rally organisers for failure to comply with the law is “plain and calculated harassment and intimidation”, as there has been no indication that the protest will not be peaceful.
“The irony that a government led by Anwar Ibrahim is now preparing to clamp down on peaceful assemblies is clear to anyone even remotely acquainted with the prime minister’s political history and his reformasi movement.
“Reformasi was born in the streets, and thrived by defying the Police Act and PAA to hold anti-government rallies,” said Zaid.
“If the current government is still dedicated to reform, it must allow the Malaysia Day rally to proceed without police interdiction or harassment, and take immediate steps for the repeal of the PAA.”
Ayob Khan had said that yesterday was the last day for the rally organisers to submit an application for a permit.
He said according to Section 9 (1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, parties wanting to hold rallies need to apply for permits five days before such a gathering is held.
“Secondly, applicants also need to seek the approval of the owners of the premises.
“In this context, I understand that a gathering will be held in the Sogo Shopping Complex area, so they will need to get permission from Kuala Lumpur City Hall and also Sogo.
“Thirdly, there must be no objections from the community in the area, so perhaps stall owners or Sogo will need to lodge their objections within 48 hours.”
When asked about parties that have not made applications by today but are planning to go ahead with holding a rally, Ayob Khan said, “We will take action according to the existing laws.”
It was reported that PN Youth would hold a rally in front of Sogo on Saturday, as part of its “Save Malaysia” movement.
PN Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who is also Pasir Mas MP, said that the rally is to protest against the court ruling to grant Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on 47 graft charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds. – September 12, 2023