The Bar Council has called on parliamentarians to take an individual stance when voting tonight on the contentious Peaceful Assembly Bill, rather than merely follow the instructions of party Whips.

NONE Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Bar Council head Lim Chee Wee said MPs should consider the repercussions of the Bill on the people's constitutional right to assemble.

"We urge all YBs (to) vote according to their conscience and not the party Whip. Think carefully on these issues which affect the rakyat's constitutional right," he said.

Lim, who had earlier marched in protest with more than 1,000 lawyers and concerned citizens, said that the council wants the premier to honour the spirit of his Malaysia Day announcement and not be unduly influenced by others.

NONE

"(He should) return to the transformational path which he promised the rakyat," he said.

Parliamentarians were further urged to support the alternative version of the Bill drafted by the Bar Council, and to carefully review the open letter sent to both the opposition and government representatives today.

The documents were handed over to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department VK Liew.

Historical precedent

Commenting on the protest march, Lim said the Bar Council had decided to take to the streets after considering the fact that  street protests had been an inherent part of the nation's history.

klcc walk for freedom of assembly crowd "Processions or assemblies in motion, defined as street protests in this Bill, are very much deep in the history of Malaysia. On Feb 27, 1946 Onn Jaafar led a procession of 15,000 to protest the Malayan Union," he said.

"Our country, our nation is founded on this procession. That is why we urge the government to not, at a stroke of a pen, strike back at the very foundation of the nation with this Bill."

Asked about the council's next course of action if the Bill is passed, Lim said he would have to consult members on the matter.

Among other provisions, the Bill imposes a blanket ban on street protests, and  designates areas where assemblies can or cannot be held.

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