Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has been accused of colluding with the police in undermining the right to peaceful assemblies in the opposition-held state.

On Monday, Khalid announced that state police chief Khalid Abu Bakar had agreed to allow outdoor gatherings with the condition that they do not exceed 15 minutes .

selangor exco meeting 261108 khalid ibrahim The menteri besar said that after the 15 minutes, protesters are required to leave the venue or go back indoors.

Human rights organisation Suaram has today decried the agreement for such ‘lighting outdoor rallies’.

It described the deal between Khalid and the state police as an attempt to “re-interpret and water down the human rights standard on freedom of assembly in Malaysia”.

According to Suaram, the suggestion goes against the state government's pledge to uphold human rights.

“The menteri besar should be mindful that nine months ago, prior to the general election, a number of the (present) state assembly representatives and exco members were also on the streets in solidarity with the people to protest against policies of the federal government,” said Suaram coordinator Tah Moon Hui.

“The menteri besar also definitely failed to note the recognition and recommendations made by Suhakam and the 2005 Royal Police Commission on the right to assembly as both the commissions recommended that Section 27 of the Police Act that imposes restriction on public assemblies be repealed.”

Do not backpeddle on rights

He urged Khalid not to backpeddle and compromise on human rights standards with suggestions that undermine the internationally accepted standards on the right to assembly.

bersih 1st year anniversary pj vigil arrest 111108 ariff abdul “The Selangor state government should call for all legal restrictions on peaceful assembly to be repealed and promote the people's right to assemble,” said Tah.

Khalid’s suggestion for 15-minute gatherings came in the wake of a number of rallies which have been broken up by the police in Selangor including the anti-ISA vigil that resulted in 24 people arrested in Petaling Jaya on Nov 9.

And last Sunday, nine people were arrested at the aborted launch of the anti-ISA campaign in Ampang.

A couple of parliamentarians were among those detained in the two events.