Malaysiakini: POLICE PEACEKEEPERS?

The Malaysian Bar is of the view that the Police Act requiring people to have permits for a gathering is

MCPX

ultra vires (beyond the powers) and against the Federal Constitution, its president S Ambiga said today..."We believe that to be the case with regards to police permits. That is also the view held by the police commission although they state it is a violation," she responded to questions from counsel M Puravalen. Ambiga was the 16th witness in the trial of eight people who were charged in an illegal assembly and disobeying police orders to disperse when they marched from the Sogo departmental store in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to Central Market in Kuala Lumpur to mark International Human Rights Day. Those who participated in the Dec 9, 2007, rally and were charged with the offence included PKR vice-president R Sivarasa, who is also Petaling Jaya Selatan MP, PKR supreme council member Latheefa Koya, lawyers Amer Hamzah Arshad and N Surendran and activists Eric Paulsen, Johny Andy and Indian national Ashraf Ali Raja. Ambiga said the council notified the police on Nov 13, 2007, of their proposed activities to mark Human Rights Day which included organising a walk. The walk had been held in the past without any untoward problems. She said although there was no permit, the Bar Council did not oppose the march as we believe in the fundamental right to a peaceful assembly. Source: Malaysiakini. Also, read more about this Dec 9, 2007 event at Jeff Ooi:
Cops outnumber People: 5 to 1
ARRESTED: Bar Council Human Rights Chief & Deputy
Sad day for humans right in Malaysia - not only couldn't walk, kena caught as well. Police are peacekeepers. Yes, they stop human rights and keep the peace. That's what they do best. hehe