A group of activists aims to bring the global Occupy movement to the doorsteps of Parliament tomorrow, in protest against the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011, scheduled for debate tomorrow.

Dubbed the Occupy Parliament movement, the group called on the public to gather in front of Parliament House for three consecutive days, beginning 11am tomorrow.

The group - the KL People’s Assembly - is the brains behind the Occupy Dataran movement which have held activities in Dataran Merdeka several times since August.

occupy dataran merdeka 151011 night programme story image In a statement today, the group said contents of the Bill were restrictive and drafted without any public consultation, which they said was a flaw with Malaysia’s practice of democracy.

"We, the KL People's Assembly, hold that the current practice of decision-making on policies that affect all peoples of Malaysia is undemocratic as there is no room for people to participate in the decision-making process.

"We maintain that the freedom to peacefully assemble without restrictions is fundamental in any functioning democracy and is a right guaranteed in Article 10 of our Federal Constitution," read the statement.

The group pointed out that the Bill is discriminatory against non-citizens, children and youths below the age of 21 as it prohibits these groups from organising assemblies.

"The Bill provides for the authorities to dictate where and how assemblies can be held. The essence of the right to peaceful assembly is lost amidst these restrictions."

Ensuring participatory democracy

Hence, it demanded the government to withdraw the Bill immediately and suggested that a participatory, consensus-driven decision-making process is adopted for all future laws and policies that affects the people.

"We, the KL People's Assembly, practice a consensus-based, participatory democracy in making all decisions. We invite everyone to join us every Saturday in learning, understanding and re-imagining direct, participatory democracy in practice."

The group also complained that it has repeatedly faced restrictions in using public spaces to hold peaceful assemblies.

"For the past few weeks, Dataran Merdeka has been closed by authorities on Saturday. We question why we are not allowed to use Dataran Merdeka to have a discussion on the future of our country while other people not participating in our discussions are allowed to gather around Dataran Merdeka.

"Is this the true meaning of ‘ Merdeka ’ in Dataran Merdeka? Is independence of any person at the discretion of the authorities?"

Earlier, the Bar Council announced it will march from the Royal Lake Club to Parliament at 11am tomorrow, to submit the council’s protest note on the Bill.

Sarawak Dayak Iban Association, a Kuching-based group, has also called a simultaneous peaceful protest at the Old Court House of Kuching.