NGOs seek broader rights for peaceful rallies, to include foreigners

Summary

• A coalition of NGOs, Himpun, is advocating for broader rights to peaceful assemblies, including the participation of foreigners and the removal of age restrictions.

• Himpun spokesperson reveals its “Rampas Ruang Awam” campaign, with three key demands to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

• The coalition urges transparent engagement with stakeholders in the amendment process.

A coalition of NGOs under the Himpun banner today called for greater allowances for peaceful assemblies, including removing age restrictions and allowing participation by foreigners.

Spokesperson Wong Kueng Hui said Himpun has launched a campaign dubbed Rampas Ruang Awam (Reclaim Public Space), with three key demands for amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012.

Firstly, he said the coalition is urging the government to recognise the right to hold assemblies without the need to notify the police.

“The current law, which requires a five-day notice, is often used by the authorities to block immediate responses to urgent issues,” Wong said at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

Secondly, he said Himpun is calling for the removal of penalties against organisers and participants of peaceful assemblies.

“This includes amending provisions that criminalise procedural non-compliance even when the assembly is conducted peacefully,” he added.

For its third demand, Himpun wants amendments to what it views as discriminatory restrictions under PAA 2012.

“This includes the prohibition on individuals under the age of 21 from organising assemblies, as well as extending the right to assemble to non-citizens,” Wong said.

Also present at the press conference were Bersih chairperson Faisal Abdul Aziz, Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairperson S Arulchelvan, and Federation of National Youth (Federasi) coordinator Hamid Nordin.

Apart from Bersih, PSM, and Federasi, Himpun includes youth group Mandiri, Lawyers for Liberty, Malaysian Students League, Democratic Students, Suaram, and the Women’s Resistance Movement (Gerakan Perempuan Melawan).

On April 30, the government announced a proposal to amend PAA 2012, with the changes expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat during the next session in July or October.

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the amendments aim to further strengthen the people’s right to peaceful assembly.

Meanwhile, Wong, who is also the Mandiri coordinator, said Himpun will be holding a roadshow to promote the Reclaim Public Space campaign.

He also welcomed the prime minister’s recent remarks regarding the issue of venue owners being used to restrict public rights.

“In this regard, we stress that the government must engage transparently with stakeholders in the process of amending PAA 2012,” Wong said.

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