Ease process to hold rally, we'll abide by the law - PN MP
PARLIAMENT | Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Perikatan Nasional-Pasir Mas) has urged the government to ease the process of holding their protest this Saturday.
He said that PN has always been a proponent of holding peaceful rallies to express their dissatisfaction, including allowing Pakatan Harapan lawmakers to do so during their time in opposition.
“Even if 10,000 people (show up at the protest)...
PARLIAMENT | Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Perikatan Nasional-Pasir Mas) has urged the government to ease the process of holding their protest this Saturday.
He said that PN has always been a proponent of holding peaceful rallies to express their dissatisfaction, including allowing Pakatan Harapan lawmakers to do so during their time in opposition.
“Even if 10,000 people (show up at the protest) it’s not enough to shake the government.
“As an MP, I won’t confront the police or the authorities but we are urging the government to ease the process to protest.
“If you want us to change the location, sure. As long as we get to express our dissatisfaction over the management of our laws,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
This Saturday’s rally will be organised by PN Youth in front of Sogo, Kuala Lumpur to protest Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) of his 47 criminal charges.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said yesterday that any party planning to hold a rally in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 16 must submit an application for a permit beforehand as well as get permission from premises owners.
He warned that stern action would be taken if the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) is not complied with, citing Section 9 (1) of the law.
Fadhli urged the government to explain this position, stating that no permits were needed and that the police only needed to be informed of the event.
Section 9 (1) reads: “An organiser should, 10 days before the date of assembly, notify an officer in charge of the police district where the protest will be held.”
The lawmaker added that PN would not repeat the “illegal” protest conducted by Harapan MPs - including now Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail two years ago outside of Parliament.
Harapan, along with other opposition lawmakers at the time, decided to march to Parliament on Aug 2, 2021, despite the police stating it was not in compliance with the PAA.
READ MORE: Two years ago, PM, home minister rallied against PN 'illegally'
They had called for then-prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his cabinet to resign after the latter suspended Parliament during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We will abide by the law, we just ask for the process to be easier,” Fadhli added.
