Media Quote
14 February 2024
Responding to the announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (Act 736) will be amended to facilitate and support groups who wish to organize peaceful assemblies, Amnesty International Malaysia’s Freedom of Expression Campaigner, Kiran Kaur said:
“Freedom of peaceful assembly is the cornerstone of any healthy society. For far too long, Malaysians have been harassed, intimidated, and criminalized simply for exercising this fundamental right. The government must take accountability for the harm inflicted by the PAA and act decisively to ensure meaningful reform that truly protects civic space,” said Kiran Kaur.
“This amendment is long overdue. A culture of fear has stifled public dissent in Malaysia for years. The police must facilitate—not obstruct—peaceful assemblies, and the law must protect all peaceful gatherings, organized or spontaneous, ensuring that no one is punished simply for voicing their concerns in public,” said Kiran Kaur.
“We urge the government to engage meaningfully with civil society to ensure that reforms align with international human rights standards, and that the right to peaceful assembly is fully protected. Pending the review, we call on the government to ensure no one else is arrested, investigated, charged or imprisoned under the PAA,” said Kiran Kaur.
Background
On 13 February, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in parliament that the government has agreed to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act. He said the amendments scheduled for the next Parliament session, among others, would remove Section 11 of the act, which requires rally organisers to obtain permission from venue owners.
Anwar also said that a moratorium has been imposed, effective immediately, that would halt all ongoing investigations under Section 11 of the act.
Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, told media that the Home Ministry (MOHA) will prepare a Cabinet memorandum following the government’s decision to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (Act 736).
For more information, please contact AIM’s Communications Officer, Divya Shesshsan, at [email protected]