POLICE have yet to receive any permit application or official notice from the “Selamatkan Malaysia” rally organisers, Kuala Lumpur police chief Allaudeen Abdul Majid said.

The organisers have planned to hold the rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

Allaudeen said under section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act, organisers have to give a five-day prior notice of an assembly.

However, he said, with today, the five days’ notice period for the planned rally had expired.

Allaudeen said city police have made preparations to manage the rally.

He said the organisers had the right to call for an assembly, but it was imperative that they followed the rules of the Peaceful Assembly Act and gave the police advance notice.

“We have laws and regulations. It is the organisers’ responsibility to apply for a permit so that we can coordinate and facilitate the rally,” he said.

“Remember that it is not only about the right of the organisers in calling for an assembly. The right of other Kuala Lumpur citizens shall also be taken care of.”

The rally is being organised by the Perikatan Nasional youth wing to protest the decision to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on 47 corruption charges related to Yayasan Akalbudi last week.

Allaudeen said police had received six reports over the call for Saturday’s assembly.

“An investigation paper has been opened according to section 505(b) of the penal code and section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” he said.

Allaudeen said Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, Gombak Setia state assemblyman Hilman Idham will be called in by the police for their statements to be recorded.

Several groups have called on the police to allow the rally to go ahead with the latest being Bersih, which said it is the people’s constitutional right to assemble peacefully as it is part and parcel of a functioning democracy.

Bersih’s steering committee said police were duty-bound to uphold the Federal Constitution by facilitating such assemblies, ensuring the safety of participants and controlling traffic.

Bersih also corrected Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay’s statement that the rally organisers must apply for a permit from the authorities five days before the assembly date.

“This is incorrect as the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 only requires rally organisers to notify the authorities, not apply for permits or approvals like in the old days,” it said.

“As proven by many rallies, in particular Bersih 4 and Bersih 5, peaceful rallies are possible even with minimal facilitation by the police.”

Yesterday, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) said any action taken against organisers of the planned protest would be a resounding affirmation the Anwar Ibrahim-led government has abandoned reform.

LFL director Zaid Malek said the rally on Saturday must be allowed to take place without police interdiction or harassment. – September 13, 2023.