Two Suhakam commissioners today criticised the police for its recent move to ban political gatherings and ceramah (talks) nationwide.

"This is a democratic country, people should have the right to attend peaceful assemblies, and it should be encouraged. Only then will we have a mature, democratic culture," said Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) member Hamdan Adnan.

The police have argued that the ban is being enforced for fear that such activities might "threaten national security".

On Monday night, PAS leader Muhammad Sabu and two others were detained for participating in an illegal assembly in Negeri Sembilan. However, the trio were freed on police bail several hours later.

Another Suhakam commissioner, Mehrun Siraj, speaking in her personal capacity, said that any such ban on lectures or ceramah is wrong.

"This curbs freedom of assembly. There really is no real evidence to say that these talks will pose a threat to national security," said Mehrun.

Mehrun, who is also chairperson of the Commission's Law Reform Working Group, added that the ban also went against Suhakam's proposals on the right to freedom of assembly.

Suhakam's advice ignored

In April this year, Suhakam's maiden annual report included interim recommendations on how the police should handle political assemblies.

Pending its final report on freedom of assembly, which is scheduled to come out soon, Suhakam's 'urgent' interim recommendations urged that 'applications for permits to hold political assemblies in premises such as stadiums, halls and private properties be approved as a general rule, without restrictions on freedom of expression'.

Mehrun, however, was unable to say when the final 'freedom of assembly' report would be ready.

"We are still waiting to discuss the report with the police. We need to finalise it with them," Mehrun said.

Mehrun also said that the interim recommendations made in April were only for the short term as Suhakam's long-term plans would include the setting up of a draft committee to look into laws that regulated political assemblies.

"One of our proposals includes the setting of a draft committee comprising of representatives from the police, the Attorney-General's Chambers, Suhakam and non-governmental organisations to review or amend laws such as the Police Act and the Public Order (Preservation) Act," she said.

Kesas Highway visit

In a related matter, Suhakam officials said Mehrun and her fellow commissioners, Anuar Zainal Abidin and Simon Sipaun, will be visiting the site of the abortive Kesas highway 100,000 People's Gathering near Klang.

They said the visit was to facilitate the group's investigation into the assembly, held on Nov 5 last year, where both police and participants have alleged abuse.

The police swoop on the Keadilan-organised gathering led to a five-month long inquiry by Suhakam into the allegations of police brutality.

Inquiry witnesses included high ranking police officers, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, a number of opposition members of parliament and a 17-year-old student.

A report on the Kesas highway incident will be released to the public soon, said the Suhakam officials.