Solidarity, not rules, the main aim of pro-Palestine rallies, says Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Showing solidarity with the Palestinians was the main objective of Sunday's (Oct 22) rally at Dataran Merdeka, not the dos and don'ts at such events, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Home Minister said the lives of two million Palestinians were at stake, with the Israeli army massing at Palestine's borders.

"The (priority) is to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza, which is currently surrounded.

"That is what the Prime Minister is doing, by meeting (other world) leaders, and being the coordinator for the South-East Asian region.

"We encourage solidarity rallies and are having one tonight.

"The question of whether the takbir is allowed (at a rally), or any other dos and don’ts, is not the main issue," he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 24).

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He said it was also the prerogative of each rally organiser to set the conditions based on their understanding of the situation.

He was responding to a supplementary question by Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang), who asked if there were new directives on what could or could not be said during peaceful demonstrations.

This came in light of social media users alleging that placards condemning Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyahu were prevented from being displayed at the recent Viva Palestina Malaysia, while the takbir was discouraged by organisers.

To this, Saifuddin said it did not reflect the government’s stance on the issues in Palestine.

"Nobody can question the government’s stance on Palestine and I believe Machang and our friends from the other side feel the same way too.

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"Our stance is clear. But if the rally organisers put (rules) in place, it should be viewed (in the context of) the moment itself... (It) does not reflect the (stance of the) government as well as the majority of Muslims who want peace," he said.

Saifuddin said guidelines on public rallies were enshrined in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and Federal Constitution.

"There are three important aspects in the Act namely the responsibility of organisers; responsibility of participants; and responsibility of the police.

"Under the Constitution, there is the right to gather and voice out (opinions).

"Freedom of speech has its limits, however. (It should not question) any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty, prerogative, security of the Federation, among others," he added.

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He said there were already enough laws to facilitate public rallies.

Saifuddin Nasution said he also believed the current police leadership would use discretion to evaluate allowing peaceful assemblies even if they did not abide by the requirement of five days' notice, on a case-by-case basis.

"Applications to organise solidarity rallies are (coming in) frequently. I believe the police will take the spirit of facilitating rather than stopping," he said in reply to a supplementary question by Jimmy Puah Tse Wee (PH-Tebrau).

Puah wanted to know if the notice period was suitable and if it could be reduced to just 48 hours.

He also asked if the Inspector-General of Police had the discretion to waive the notice period if there was a pressing need.