KUALA LUMPUR: The organisers of the Women's March Malaysia (WMMY) 2024 have raised concern about the police's repeated investigations against those exercising their right to a peaceful assembly.
The WMMY organising committee said this in a statement after four participants of the march were summoned by police on Friday to assist in investigations.
It said the four individuals which include two participants, one WMMY committee member and one of WMMY's legal representatives will be called into Dang Wangi police district headquarters at 2.30pm tomorrow.
It added that the WMMY committee took the necessary steps to inform the relevant authorities and follow the rules and regulations in place before the march.
"While we comply with the law and will be present at IPD Dang Wangi tomorrow with our lawyers, we also question the repeated cycles of the police opening up investigations against those who exercised their right to a peaceful assembly.
"The WMMY committee was not personally informed of the police's investigation against the march.
"Dang Wangi police chief Noor Dellhan Yahya told Malaysiakini on Mar 10 that an investigation would be opened against the organisers under Section 15 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for allegedly breaching conditions set by the police.
"Dellhan also said that the committee would be investigated under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for placards with "sensitive elements"," it said.
Highlighting Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, WMMY said every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression, and all citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
"Malaysia acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women to ensure the full protection of human rights for women and girls, including transgender people and sexual minorities.
"We would like to call on supporters to gather outside of IPD Dang Wangi tomorrow in solidarity with those getting called in."