The police have advised the people against participating in a gathering scheduled in Malacca for Friday, saying it was illegal for not having met the required 10 days’ prior notice.

Melaka Tengah District Police chief ACP Salehhudin Abd Rahman said the notice for the so-called ‘Himpunan Blackout 505' gathering at the Kampung Bukit Katil square was given to them on May 17 and did not fulfil a condition under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

He asked the organiser of the gathering to postpone it.

The organiser had also failed to furnish a letter of approval from the land owner for the gathering to be held at the venue, he told a news conference.

Salehhudin also said that the police had opened an investigation into a gathering urging the release of student activist Adam Adli Abd Halim held in front of the Stadthuys building in Jalan Gereja in Malacca last night.

Adam was arrested on May 18 for having allegedly made seditious remarks during a forum organised on May 13 by Suara Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), and which involved urging massive street rallies to express unhappiness over the country’s electoral system and results of the 13th general election.

Salehhudin said the probe was initiated because the gathering violated the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“The police did not receive any notice of the gathering,” he said.

- Bernama