THE government has agreed to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act, removing the requirement for organisers to obtain approval from venue owners before holding public gatherings.
Anwar said the amendments will facilitate any groups with intentions to hold a peaceful assembly.
“This means the need to obtain approval from the premise owner, as mentioned under several sections, will be amended and set aside," he said in response to Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong during the Prime Minister's Question Time.
Instead, organisers will now only be required to notify the police five days in advance, allowing law enforcement to take necessary steps to manage traffic and security.
“With this, some of the actions taken before this including investigating the anti-corruption rally, all of those investigations will be ceased and no action will be taken.
“The same goes to the hunger strike against Sosma (Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012) a few days ago. Action will not be taken,” he said.
However, Anwar said assemblies involving weapons or young children would still be prohibited.
He also said that while the freedom of expression should be respected, any false accusations made during assemblies would be addressed through legal means. – February 13, 202
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