The Pahang Bar Council is happy with police efforts during the first major rally held under the Peaceful Assembly Act, though it believes that there is still room for improvement.

While it was happy with police assistance with logistics during the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 anti-Lynas rally held in Kuantan earlier today, it is none too happy with conditions imposed on organisers by police.

NONE "When it comes to security and traffic, police gave their assistance. They had ambulances on standby. They have done their part," said Hon Kai Ping ( centre in photo ) who headed the council's monitoring team.

However, it was less happy with the conditions imposed by police on the organisers.

"They (The police) tried to follow the Public Assembly Act, something which the bar continues to oppose," Hon said.

For example he pointed to one condition - not allowing children under 15 to attend the peaceful rally.

Parents interviewed

He also decried police action of interviewing parents who attended the rally with their children to see if they were below 15.

"Also they also did not allow organisers to install a proper public address system which caused problems as not all information could be conveyed through loud hailers.

"They must be fair, during political rallies they allow speakers, but not for this one," he argued.

He admitted that they "cannot have everything", but hoped that things would be better next time.

Hon also believed that the gathering could serve as a model for future peaceful rallies but warned of police intimidation.

"A model, yes, but we heard police may be calling the organisers in and because of some participants bringing children. They may not give their permission for future gatherings. This is a roundabout way at intimidation," he said.

The police, Hon said, cannot limit the right to peaceful assembly which is guaranteed by the constitution.