Malaysia’s government announced plans today to allow citizens to hold peaceful public gatherings as part of a move towards political reform, although analysts said the new law would do little to boost civil liberties.

Malaysian media said the government tabled the Peaceful Assembly Bill in parliament, which would require those seeking to hold gatherings to give police 30 days’ notice instead of having to apply for a permit as stipulated under present law.

The new regulations aimed to “ensure that where necessary, all citizens have the right to hold or participate in assemblies, peacefully and without weapons”, according to the Bill.

The change is part of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s reforms to allow for increased civil liberties after a rare street protest in July highlighted public discontent towards the government.

But the proposed law bans street protests and prohibits assemblies at or in the vicinity of airports, railway stations, places of worship, hospitals and schools. Analysts doubt it will provide for greater freedom of expression.

“It’s the same old story,” said James Chin, a political analyst at Monash University in Malaysia.

“The expectation is that Najib is a reformer but this goes to show that he can say one thing but, when the home minister and the attorney-general get together, they will do another.”

Law Minister Nazri Aziz, who local media said tabled the Bill in parliament, was not immediately available for comment.

In September, Najib repealed two controversial security laws and lifted licensing curbs on the media in a move to bolster his flagging popularity ahead of likely polls early next year.

Analysts have said Najib was expected to speed up the pace of promised reforms to address criticism that he has been slow in executing change.

The next election is due in 2013 but Najib could opt for an earlier poll while domestic economic growth is still relatively strong.

- Reuters