Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has granted PAS permission to use Padang Merbok for its Act 355 rally next Saturday.

According to Bernama, Mayor Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz said DBKL had no objections as long as the organisers adhered to stipulated conditions.

However, the Bernama report did not specify the conditions.

PAS intends to use the rally to show support for the private member's bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

The bill, moved by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, seeks to set a new cap on fines, jail terms and whipping sentences that can be set by Syariah courts.

PAS had initially sought DBKL's permission to hold the rally at Dataran Merdeka.

Counter-protest forced to move

Meanwhile, a group that seeks to hold a counter-protest has criticised DBKL for allowing PAS to use Padang Merbok.

The group, who called themselves Bebas, said they had applied to use Padang Merbok as their counter-protest venue but DBKL had favoured PAS instead.

Bebas spokesperson Azrul Mohd Khalib accused PAS of having a hand in the change of venue with the intention of silencing detractors.

In view of this, Azrul said his group had decided to hold their counter-protest at the Taman Jaya Park in Petaling Jaya instead.

The rally, dubbed the "Malaysians Reject Hadi's Bill Rally", would be held on the same day at 3pm.

"Bebas has notified the police, in accordance with the law," said Azrul.

"We urge all Malaysians who do not want to see their way of life destroyed by religious extremists to join us at the rally and say #TakNakUsul355."