'Not rejected': Sabah cops say anti-graft rally organisers must fulfil requirements

Summary

• Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun clarifies that the “Gempur Rasuah Sabah” rally wasn’t rejected but organisers required to complete legal notification procedures.

• Subsection 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act mandates organisers to notify authorities with rally details for lawful assembly.

Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun has refuted claims that he denied the “Gempur Rasuah Sabah” rally the right to assemble.

Instead, Jauteh clarified to Malaysiakini that the police had requested the organiser to fulfil the requirements under Section 10 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“Actually, we did not reject it, but we requested them to fulfil the requirements outlined in Section 10 of the Peaceful Assembly Act, and so far, they have not complied,” he said.

Earlier, the rally organiser issued a statement asserting that the event would proceed as scheduled despite reports of police rejection.

This followed media reports quoting Jauteh, who cited concerns over public order as the reason for rejecting the rally.

The anti-corruption rally, organised by the Sabah-based student group Suara Mahasiswa UMS, is scheduled for New Year’s Eve outside the Sabah State Administrative Building.

It aims to serve as a warning to politicians ahead of next year’s state polls not to ignore the people's will.

When asked if the rally would be allowed should the organiser fulfil the requirements, Jauteh responded, “No problem.”

Section 10 of the Peaceful Assembly Act lists the information that should be given when notifying the police of an upcoming assembly, such as the purpose, date, time, and location of the assembly, the name of the person in charge, and information regarding any sound amplification equipment to be used.

Where applicable, it also requires organisers to provide a letter of consent from the venue’s owner and any additional documents requested by the police.

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