By William Leong Jee Keen
I call on Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador to look into the police calling Bersih 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann on investigations under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, on his call to hold a protest at Dataran Merdeka relating to the Sheraton Move.
The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 is to enable peaceful airings of grievances and other expressions through public assemblies. The right to assemble peacefully and the right of expression are fundamental freedoms guaranteed in the Federal Constitution. The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 is intended to promote these fundamental freedoms and allow citizens to express their concerns over issues in a peaceful and democratic manner.
The notification required under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 is to enable the police and authorities to facilitate the assembly, protect public safety, to prevent any possible disorders by irresponsible parties to disrupt the citizen’s exercise of their lawful rights of protests or demonstration.
In the circumstances, the police calling Fann for investigation does not appear to be in compliance with the intention and objective of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 but appears to be harassment, intimidation and attempt to prevent citizens from voicing their grievances.
Such action by the police must cease immediately. – July 6, 2020
William Leong Jee Keen is a Member of Parliament for Selayang.
