Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) welcomes the government’s proposal to remove Section 11 of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA).
Removal of the requirement for assembly organisers to obtain approval from venue owners eliminates a significant bureaucratic barrier that has long allowed authorities to exercise discretionary power to grant or deny permission for assemblies to be held.
For assemblies held in public spaces, the proposed amendment not only rightly acknowledges that these spaces belong the public but also strengthens the police’s role in facilitating, rather than restricting, assemblies.
The immediate moratorium on all ongoing investigations under Section 11 of the act is also a commendable move forward. Post-assembly investigations have long been one of the most prevalent intimidation tactics used by authorities against organisers and participants, even when advance notice is provided.
Suaram hopes that this moratorium will serve as a catalyst for broader structural reforms to eliminate such repressive practices entirely and foster an environment where the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected.
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While the removal of Section 11 is a necessary step, further reforms to the police’s approach to peaceful assemblies are crucial to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully protected.
The five-day notification requirement must not be rigidly applied, particularly in cases of spontaneous assemblies responding to urgent developments. International human rights standards recognise that requiring advance notification for all assemblies can unduly restrict fundamental freedoms.
Suaram urges the government to introduce clear exemptions for spontaneous assemblies to ensure that this requirement does not obstruct assemblies that arise in response to pressing issues.
At the same time, the notification process must be improved to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic barriers for organisers. In past assemblies such as last year’s Women’s March, notices given in person by organisers were not accepted by the police on the basis of technicalities such as the non-completion of all questions on the form.
Suaram calls for a review of the current notification form and procedures to ensure that only essential information required for the police to facilitate assemblies is requested, preventing unnecessary administrative hurdles that undermine the right to peaceful assembly.
Suaram also urges the government to make the notification form available online and allow digital submissions to reduce logistical barriers for organisers. – Suaram
Sevan Doraisamy is the executive director of Suaram.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
