While I welcome the enacting of the Peaceful Assembly Bill in principle, I was disappointed with the many restrictions in the Bill, which would curtail freedom of assembly even more than before.
The most serious flaw is of course disallowing street protests. Street protests do not equate riots or chaos. It can be very orderly as seen so often overseas in many of the democratic countries. People can protest anything they do not feel comfortable. It is up to the police and the authority to facilitate such protests and make sure that the disruption to street traffic is minimal.
I agree that the authority needs to be informed in case of a protest, not because any permission is needed , but mainly to make sure that the authority takes steps to facilitate such protests — including protecting the protestors and ensuring the success of such protests, as the people’s freedom of assembly is enshrined in our Constitution.
Notice however, should be just hours in advance and not days. I am sure if the police force is efficient, it can easily muster a few policemen to help in the process of ensuring smooth conduct of such protets. Since police presence is to ensure smooth conduct of such protests, it is just nonsensical to ask for an advance notice of 30 days as proposed .
Sometimes need to protest arises within short notice, such as certain increase of certain food prices or certain announcement of nonsensical policies, and asking the protesters to inform the police 30 days ahead makes no sense at all.
There are just too many restrictions in the new Bill, and this actually undermines what was promised by the PM some time back that freedom of assembly would be respected.
This has fast become the norm here. It has also become obvious that this may be a classic Sunzi’s strategy : conceding one step when resistance seems strong , but move 2 steps forward when everything quiets down.
further reading:
Bar council president’s announcement here.
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Nov 23, 2011 @ 16:07:19
So the pessimism about Najib’s words is justified once again.In reality things got worst instead of getting better. The people’s rejection of the proposals must be made very clear to the regime. It looks like the people may have to regroup again at our Tahrir Square to once again point this government in the right direction.
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Nov 23, 2011 @ 20:15:31
Najib has shown he cannot be trusted anymore. He has lost his marbles to assume tyranny and oppression will work with his latest repressive Bill. He is so wrong, it’s a road to disaster he’s heading!
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Nov 24, 2011 @ 07:27:44
A leopard does not change it’s color! A snake does not rid it’s fangs! The people of Malaysia are too naive. Look at history, the only to bring about change is to change put the elements and install new ones. It looks like Indonesia has proven itself after Suharto was toppled. China started to change after Mao passed away. Malaysian may be too distracted or to gain clarity on doing the right thing. GE13 will be the god sent opportunity to Citizen of Malaysia. It is not necessary to do street demonstration. Evolt with votes can be the way.
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Nov 24, 2011 @ 18:10:14
But there are still many believe Jibby is a real reformer. Vomit blood with these brainless soul.
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Nov 24, 2011 @ 23:38:24
still want to believe in jibby the reformist?
ha2, revolutionary?
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Nov 25, 2011 @ 07:56:03
A kleptocratic ruling regime with no credibility.
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Nov 25, 2011 @ 08:01:26
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/04/22/unmasking_the_false_reformer
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Nov 25, 2011 @ 10:33:16
Our dear PM is a man of many words. But his words are so many that they fall off the track and now words are just words to him and the people having their ears full. The actions often do not justify the words. Saying one thing and doing another seems to be his mode of approach. In his own words, he wants this nation to be the best democratic nation in the world. One wonders how this is going to happen when the Peace Assembly Act is passed after its due debates in Parliament. Curbing assembly in the street is already an undemocratic stand. How can they assume an assembly will turn undemocratic when they do not even approve of it? It seems like he gives you a sweetener and then gives you a bitter pill to swallow. This trend has been going on ever since he stepped into his predecessor’s shoes on many other issues. Can this go on forever? Do the people of this nation want this to continue forever? Where will this lead us if such a trend continues? Will there be real peace in the hearts and the minds of the people of this ‘democratic’ nation? Can peace be acted out or enacted? Shakespeare was right when he said the world’s a stage and everyone’s an actor. Are we getting our act right?
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Nov 25, 2011 @ 11:41:45
One good example of so called promoter of change and transformation is Sail al Islam, son of Muammar Gaddafi. Once toasted by the stupid West as the voice of change and moderation. All because of his words and facade he projected. He paid lost of money to buy good PR. He showed his true colour during the people’s revolution. I hope they hang him quick. Najib is made of the same stuff as this fella.
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Nov 25, 2011 @ 14:35:06
What the many fools of highly educated Gelakanians have in mind in regards to this bill ? These bloody eunuchs are the one who tried their best to preserve status quo till they die. The sheeps deserve a wolves govt due to their “bohoot”.
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