Ruling on Peaceful Assembly Act must spark broader change

AMNESTY International Malaysia welcomes the Federal Court’s decision on Tuesday declaring Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act unconstitutional as a significant step in the right direction. It sets a powerful precedent for the protection of the constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceful assembly.

The decision was delivered in a constitutional challenge brought by activist Amir Hadi, who was charged under Section 9(5) for failing to provide notification to the police ahead of a protest organised in August 2022.