KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (Act 736) is a bold decision aimed to make it easier for the people to assemble peacefully, says the Madani Government Backbenchers Club.
Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who is also the Madani Government Backbenchers Club deputy chair, welcomed the government's decision to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act.
"After hearing the response from the Prime Minister (PM) directly, we fully welcome his decision.
"On this issue, we see it as an institutional reform carried out by the Unity Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister," he told a press conference at the parliament's media centre on Thursday (Feb 13).
Earlier, Anwar announced in the Dewan Rakyat that the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (Act 736) will be amended to facilitate and support groups who wish to organise peaceful assemblies.
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said several amendments would be done including to amend and remove the requirement to obtain venue approval as stipulated under the Act.
"We also welcome the assurance that no investigation will be continued against the 13 students who participated in the anti-corruption rally recently," added Khoo.
Khoo believed that this was a bold decision taken by the Prime Minister, and viewed it as an effort to push forward reforms.
Syed Ibrahim bin Syed Noh (PH-Ledang), also welcomed the announcement, saying that he had also participated in previous protests.
"This has been reviewed carefully by the government through the announcement made by the Prime Minister so the Peaceful Assembly Act is amended.
"These are the basic rights that we fought for and because of that, we continued to champion it," he said.
He hoped that with the amendments, it would make it easier to revitalise democracy in the country, without compromising other threats.
"At the same time, we also do not want to be open to any security threats, we need to balance all of these," he said.
Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) also agreed, saying that he fully supported all the positive developments from the announcement made by the Prime Minister to give more freedom for the public to assemble peacefully.
"We also understand as we also experienced it ourselves in those rallies.
"It is not easy for premises to give their approval, and some even had been influenced by the authorities or certain parties to stop them from giving their approval," he added.
"When the requirement is removed, this gives freedom to the people to assemble.
"If the people want to assemble, there must be a legitimate reason, so we have to give the largest space to them," he added.
