The government is standing firm in its aim to outlaw street protests with the Peaceful Assembly Bill as it gives the right to the people to gather and protest peacefully without a permit unlike before.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the government does not want to see such protests causing people inconvenience as well as creating problems.

"It is because we allow peaceful assembly that we decided to prevent street demonstrations," he said.

( Kerana kami benarkan perhimpunan aman sebab itulah nak elak dari demonstrasi jalanan. Sebab nak pastikan tak menyusahkan ramai dan timbul masalah )

"We do not want it to cause problems to other people and create problems. For this reason, we table a bill which is clear," he said.

The minister added that under Section 27 of the Police Act all public gatherings require permits but there is no need now.

Demos only at safe locations

"You only need to inform the authorities. There are no restrictions ."

NONE Hishammuddin ( right ) told this to reporters during a briefing on the Umno assembly.

He said Schedule Three states that demonstrations can be held at certain locations where public security will not be threatened..

"It is too early to discuss this as it is being tabled for the second reading," he said.

Upon its introduction on Tuesday, the Bill was the target of heavy criticism from many quarters for outlawing street demonstrations.

Street demonstrations have been seen as a fixture since 2007 under then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, starting with the street protest of Lawyers walk for justice, followed by Bersih and the Hindraf rallies.

He said from feedback from the police shows that they are supportive of the new legislation.

Hishammuddin said this is the problem with the opposition as they are worried about what the government will do even before the bill is tabled for the second reading.

"They tried to criticise a draft law which is to be tabled."

He said it would not lead to additional powers to the police as section 27 is to be repealed.

Gov't moves worry opposition

"I cannot comprehend where they (opposition) get this. How abolishing section 27 will lead to more powers for the police," he said

On the confusion over the 30-day notice , Hishammuddin admits there could be it, saying it is best to ask Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz for clarification.

"As the drafting and its enforcement differs as the main concern is public security and safety."

NONE "Our concern is for the police do their job well. As to the period or words used let the proper person answer that," he said.

Hishammuddin described the move to repeal the Internal Security Act, the Emergency Ordinance and the Peaceful Assembly Bill as changes for the better.

"We (BN) are not changing for the sake of changing but changing for the sake of improvement . This is what the rakyat will appreciate and see at the right time."

"It is true ISA will be repealed. What Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said of a new legislation concerns terrorism only and it will be tabled in March. However, the (opposition) should not speculate today on what will happen in March.

"What we do today is a drastic change; I would say a historical change."

On the general elections, Hishammuddin said this will be the first time Najib will be leading the fight.

"This is why the BN initiated the government transformation programme and history will mark this moment as colouring the country's landscape for the next 54 years."

"And all it begins with Najib's reforms and his team," he said.

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