Rules on protests are clear, says Fahmi

Summary

• Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil emphasises that rally organisers must obtain property owner consent as mandated by the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, urging all Malaysians to comply with this regulation.

• The clarification follows organisers of the Jan 25 anti-graft rally expressing surprise at the requirement, while Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s S Arutchelvan questions whether past reformasi rallies had adhered to similar rules.

• Fahmi states that encouraging agencies like the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and police to facilitate rallies is outside his jurisdiction, highlighting that such decisions rest with the respective agencies.

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil has emphasised that the requirement for rally organisers to obtain consent from property owners is clearly stipulated under the law.

Speaking to the media today, Fahmi urged all Malaysians, regardless of political affiliation, to respect and adhere to this rule.

“I recall many instances where assemblies, such as those at Padang Merbok, applied for and obtained approval from the organisers,” he said.

“As mentioned by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, all relevant factors are considered when deciding whether to approve.

“However, the law explicitly states that permission must be secured from the property owner for any assembly to take place,” he added.

Yesterday, Saifuddin defended the police directive requiring rally organisers to obtain consent from property owners, as outlined in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Seeking consent

The remarks follow the organisers of the Jan 25 anti-graft rally expressing surprise over the police directive to seek property owner consent.

The rally is scheduled to begin outside the Sogo shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur before proceeding to Dataran Merdeka.

Saifuddin’s remarks led to criticism from Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy president S Arutchelvan, who questioned whether Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan had sought permission from the police or Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) under the Police Act during their reformasi rallies in the past.

When asked if he would encourage the home minister to support DBKL in providing space for assemblies, Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, stated that it was not within his jurisdiction.

“(For example) An agency under another ministry, I cannot urge the police to engage with any company, for instance, urge or force PDRM to use a private 5G slice.

“I can only make suggestions, and it is up to the agency’s discretion; we do not cross lanes in that regard,” he explained.

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