Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 bans street protest

The government tabled the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 in the Dewan Rakyat today to allow for the freedom of peaceful assembly.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz tabled the Bill for its first reading.
Among the main points of the proposed law are:

• 30 days' advance notice for assemblies, except for those in designated areas as defined by the home minister;

• after notification, the assemblies can proceed, unless there are objections from the police;

• no street protests are allowed;

• no protests in or anywhere in a 50-metre buffer zone around prohibited areas defined in a list, which includes hospitals, schools and places of worship;

• Section 8 allows a police officer 'to take such measures he/she deems necessary' to ensure compliance;

• Section 9(5) allows the police to fine organisers up to RM10,000 if no advance notice of a planned assembly is given to the police;

• Section 20(1)(c) allows police to arrest anyone who brings, allows to come or recruits children for an assembly;

• Section 21(3) allows the police to fine those arrested up to RM20,000;

• those under 21 years of age are not allowed to organise assemblies; and

• children under 15 are not allowed to take part in assemblies, except in cultural or religious events such as funeral corteges or events approved by the home minister.

Slated for debate during its second reading some time next week, the Bill was tabled concurrently with another Bill to amend the Police Act, which will take away the need to obtain a police permit prior to organising an assembly.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had announced that there would be a review of Section 27 of the Police Act and the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Restricted Residence Act during his Malaysia Day speech on Sept 15.

The Restricted Residence Act and the Banishment Act were repealed last month, while the ISA is expected to be dealt with in March next year.

Nazri had said over the weekend that debate on the Peaceful Assembly Bill has been scheduled for four days, on Nov 24, 29 and 30 and Dec 1.
In addition to the Peaceful Assembly Bill and amendments to the Police Act, four more amendments are tabled today affecting the Criminal Procedure Code, Evidence Act and Standards Act.