'Turun Anwar' Rally: No Notice Makes It Difficult, But Police Will Facilitate - Saifuddin

PUTRAJAYA, July 16 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will facilitate the Himpunan Turun Anwar rally, scheduled to take place in the capital on July 26.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this is to ensure the safety and orderliness of all participants, even though rally organisers are no longer required to submit prior notice to the police, following a Federal Court ruling that declared Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 unconstitutional.

He acknowledged, however, that the court’s ruling has made it a little difficult for PDRM to plan appropriate security measures.

“If organisers were still required to inform the police, we would at least know the venue and expected crowd size, allowing us to deploy personnel accordingly, not to obstruct, but to facilitate the gathering.

“But now, without prior notification, the police must fully mobilise all available resources to devise an appropriate strategy,” he told a press conference after the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly today.

Despite the challenges, Saifuddin gave assurance that PDRM will manage security professionally.

He also reminded organisers and participants to abide by the existing provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Organisers, he said, are responsible for ensuring that no dangerous weapons are brought to the rally, no speeches undermine the monarchy or religious harmony, and that children are not involved in the gathering.

“If police take action, don’t claim your freedom has been violated because the relevant laws still apply.

“I just want to stress that if they want to proceed with the rally, it’s their democratic choice because the government has never suppressed the people’s freedom of expression,” he said.

On July 1, the Federal Court ruled unanimously that penalising organisers for failing to notify police five days in advance of a peaceful assembly is unconstitutional.

According to the five-judge panel, Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, which imposes fines for failing to give prior notice, constitutes a form of prohibition, not a permissible restriction under Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution.

-- BERNAMA