NO permit was issued for the International Women’s Day march near a mall in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the government rejects any move to organise an assembly without permit, which is a violation of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“Police investigations have found that no permit was issued for the assembly. Parties that wish to hold assemblies must abide by the law.

“I was informed that the Saturday gathering did not get a permit, and so, it was in violation of the law. I am leaving the matter to police,” he said at the Parliament lobby today.

Muhyiddin said the government is always monitoring assemblies.

“We have laws, and we will take stern action…. no Malaysian is exempted from the rule of law. This is a democratic system, but we have laws, and they must be complied with.”

It was reported that the gathering saw 1,000 people in attendance, and called for an end to discrimination and violence against women, as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. – Bernama, March 11, 2019.