Isn’t a peaceful assembly within the law?

This is a response to a speech by Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah’s speech urging Malaysians to respect law and order. It was in regards to the provision in the Malaysian Constitution for free speech, free expression and free assembly, and a further clause that says any law or regulation that goes against the spirit of the Constitution is invalid. So is the requirement to get a police permit to hold a peace assembly valid or not valid? The response was an attempt to get an answer. Here is the response to Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah’s speech in theSun:

Isn’t a peaceful assembly within the law?

I refer to your report on Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah’s speech (front page, Dec 30) urging Malaysians to respect law and order. However, I would like to ask this question which has troubled me for a long time, and I fervently hope that Raja Nazrin and his father Sultan Azlan read this.

Both Raja Nazrin and Sultan Azlan are highly qualified lawyers and are highly respected (Sultan Azlan was a former Lord President), so would be eminently qualified to clarify the issues I hope to raise.

The Constitution provides for free speech, free expression, free assembly and any law or act which goes against the spirit of the Constitution is invalid. I had the opportunity to ask former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas if the requirement for a police permit for any assembly of five or more is valid.

His response was "it is dicey". He cited some amendments and some clause in the amended Constitution. Asked for Tun’s opinion: "The police have the right to regulate, but not to prevent."

Now, when Malaysians participate in a peaceful assembly, are they respecting or not respecting the law?

I hope to get some answers through your now highly respected newspaper. If not from the royalty, then hopefully from the Malaysian Bar or its members or any lawyer.

Malaysians have to resort to peaceful assemblies and protests because numerous attempts to change things and right wrongs have not met with the desired action.

by
Loyal but concerned Malaysian, PJ

Facing & Surviving the Internet Clampdown: Our Liabilities, Rights and Responsibilities

(Putting it here in the hope that more will be informed and do something about it)

Facing & Surviving the Internet Clampdown: Our Liabilities, Rights and Responsibilities
28/7, Sat, 3pm, KL-S'gor Chinese Assembly Hall

Posted on July 26th, 2007 by nathaniel tan

Really hope you can stop by :)

I know it's a late notice, but hopefully it can still do some good.

The discussion is outlined below, and I really hope all of you who have been concerned about what's been going on will stop by so that we can all (myself included) get a better picture as to how the law can and will affect us as internet writers and concerned citizens.

Again, there will be a little tea after the event just as a teeny thank you to all the great people who took the time, effort and risk to show support for me during my four day detention. I can never repay you, but I hope you'll take a few curry puffs as a small token of thanks :)

Really hope to see you there!!

---

Facing & Surviving the Internet Clampdown:
Our Liabilities, Rights and Responsibilities

Time: 28th July, 2007 - Saturday, 3pm
Venue: KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

With the authorities' upsurge of threats regarding the internet, there is a growing need for the public to know its rights, responsibilities and liabilities with regards to what they write online.

Recent cases have also shown that since even the innocent are likely to be targetted, it is also important for those working towards change in Malaysia to be prepared for all eventualities.

Being fully aware of one's legal rights and a familiarity with proper police and legal procedure could make all the difference in the case of wrongful arrest or detention.

This discussion will explore these issues with the aim of educating the public as to how to stay on the right side of the law, and what to do if the 'law' comes after you anyway.

Lawyer R. Sivarasa will briefly discuss laws that apply to internet writers as well as the legal procedures surrounding arrests and detention, activist S. Arutchelvan will talk about what the police can and cannot do to people under their custody, while blogger and journalist Soon Li Tsin will share some experiences regarding activism in the face of wrongful arrest. Recent arrestee Nathaniel Tan will moderate this discussion, which will be largely informal and be more of a dialogue in nature.

-----------------------------------------------------
By Hashim Ibrahim

Pak Lah's pre-2004 election promise to us.

Don't know about you, but I was taken in.

What else did he promise us in the run-up to the elections?

Space for expression : encourage environment for constructive discussion and criticism. Encourage creativity and openness, whilst being sensitive to our differences.

Mentality: encourage environment where civic consciousness and courtesy is practised. Nurture individuals with strong character and positive values.

What have we had since then?

Choice to determine the future of our nation?

How?

With Najib trying to re-write our history?

Stand up for what we believe in?

Go and tell that to Kamariah Ali, Daud Mamat, Lina Joy and Revathi!

Constructive discussion and criticism? Creativity and openness?

Is that why Nazri is now screaming ISA and OSA? Sedition?

Silence bloggers to facilitate constructive discussion and openness?

Is that why Che Din Yusof of Internal Security orders a gag on media reporting?

Is that why Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission ordered TV and radio stations not to give airtime to the opposition?

Civic consciousness and courtesy?

With leaking and racist MPs?

With a thuggish Youth Chief?

With a Bodoh! Bodoh! Bodoh! minister?

Nurture individuals with strong character and values?

Nat Tan and Raja Petra too strong in character for your liking?

You've lost my vote, sunshine.

Update 28 July 2007: I attended the above meeting and met Nathaniel Tan. He has given the go ahead to leave this post as it is here and also have said I am free to use stuff from his blog (haven't found his blog yet).