PKR Youth has condemned inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar for claiming that demonstrations are never peaceful.
 
In a press release today, PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said Khalid's statement showed that he is ignorant of constitutional provisions on freedom of assembly.
 
"He should know that peaceful demonstrations is part of our independence process and to protest against the Malaysian Union," said Shamsul.
 
In explaining preemptive measures before the demonstration organised by Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun) on New Year's Eve, Khalid said his men had to step up enforcement efforts following online claims that the rally is aimed at setting the stage for a putsch.
 
The police had offered a long list of sketchy evidence - from emails about  homemade bombs to "provocative" t-shirts - to justify their claim, but critics argue that that it was nothing but propaganda efforts by Putrajaya to dissuade potential rally goers.
 
The rally was organised in response to government policy which had resulted in rising cost of essential goods - electricity, highway toll charges, sugar, fuel and property tax in Kuala Lumpur.

Is the PAA now useless?

 

Meanwhile, Shamsul, who is also a lawyer and MP for Bukit Katil, also urged the federal government to abolish the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 in view of the recent acquittal of six individuals charged under the law.
 
Shamsul said that the judge had indirectly showed that the law was against the spirit of the Federal Constitution which provides for freedom of assembly.
 
"The judgment will set a precedent... it is surely a major blow to the BN government which  passed the law in haste without due process and had ignored protest from the opposition bench.
 
"Thus, I urge the government to abolish the law and respect the court decision which clearly made a judgment based on freedom and justice," he said.

On Friday, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court discharged PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and four others of violating the PAA during Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28, 2012.