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Malaysians protest ban on street rallies
Published Date: November 30, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's parliament enacted a ban on street protests yesterday,
defying hundreds of demonstrators who marched in the capital to denounce the
legislation as a setback for civil liberties. Prime Minister Najib Razak had
framed the law as part of a campaign to soften tough rules on security, free
speech and assembly as he looks to shore up support ahead of elections he is
expected to call next year. The assembly law replaces legislation that required
a police permit for public gatherings, butcritics complain it contains a range
of new restrictions including an outright ban on street marches.
The government-controlled parliament passed the bill into law just hours after
about 500 lawyers, opposition lawmakers and activists marched in the capital
Kuala Lumpur to parliament calling for its withdrawal. Chanting "Bebas
berhimpun" ("Free assembly"), the demonstrators denounced the law as a
violation of constitutional protections of free speech and a sign that Najib
was breaking his pledge to bolster civil liberties. The law "infringes on the
rights of the people and violates the constitution," said Wong Chin Huat of
the group Bersih 2.0, which spearheaded a rally for electoral reform in July
that was broken up by police.
If they don't change the law, (Najib's government) will pay the price when
voters abandon the government in the next general elections," he said during
the march. Najib has defended the legislation, saying it guarantees the right
to peaceful assembly. But it has been assailed by opposition politicians who
view Najib's reform push as a cynical election ploy, arguing the bill confirms
their fears that tough old laws will merely be replaced by strict new rules.
The law allows gatherings to be held in designated places, such as stadiums,
without prior notice, while those in other areas would first require police
approval.
Malaysian Bar Council President Lim Chee Wee said the ban on street
demonstrations was "outrageous." "Assemblies in motion provide the
demonstrators with a wider audience and greater visibility, in order for others
to see and hear the cause or grievance giving rise to the gathering," he said.
The law passed yesterday was softened slightly in the wake of the outcry,
shortening the amount of notice that assembly organizers must give police to
within 10 days of the event, instead of the original 30 days.
But critics including the Bar Council and Amnesty International maintain the
act would grant police too much power over the timing, duration, and location
of gatherings. Opponents have noted that even in authoritarian Myanmar, the
notice period is just five days. In a statement, Sam Zarifi, Amnesty's
Asia-Pacific director, called the law "a legislative attack on Malaysians'
right to peaceful protest." A Human Rights Watch statement said the numerous
new restrictions and requirements make it "virtually impossible to hold an
assembly in an urban setting.
Under the close watch of dozens of riot police, the protesters marched to
parliament, where they handed over a protest memorandum to a government
representative. The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition now headed by Najib has
been accused of routinely using tough laws to snuff out challenges to its five
decades in power. But public opinion has turned against such strict measures in
recent years as the once-insignificant political opposition has gained strength
and soaring Internet use has fuelled more open debate. - AFP
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