KUALA LUMPUR: The Peaceful Assembly Act (Amendment) 2019 Bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat today after almost six hours of debate.
The amendment, tabled by Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, decriminalises street protests that were originally an offence under the act.
The amendment also includes shortening the time needed to notify the police on the organisation of assemblies from 10 to five days as well as a provision for a compoundable offence under Section 9 (notification of peaceful assembly) and Section 15 (limitations and regulations for peaceful assemblies) under the act.
The compound which would be at a maximum of RM5,000 is not classified as a crime and parliamentarians found to have violated the sections would not lose their seats or eligibility to contest in elections.
However, in the event of violence or public disorder during a street protest, police can take action pertaining to offences against public tranquility under sections 143 and 147 of the Penal Code.
Muhyiddin said the amendment would see an increase in venues for peaceful protests and that the government was moving to gazette Padang Merbok and Jalan Raja, here, for such purposes.
“This is an effort to facilitate the organisation of assemblies that would not require notice to be sent to the police, though permission must be sought from the premises owners.
“As of now, under Section 25 of the act, Darul Makmur Stadium in Pahang is the only venue gazetted as a venue for peaceful assembly,” he told the House.