Civil society to campaign against Assembly Bill

Civil society groups, some of which members of the Bersih 2.0 rally in July, have vowed to strongly campaign against the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011.

Known as the Kempen Kebebasan Berhimpun (Freedom of Assembly Campaign or KKB for short), the campaign kicked off with a small demonstration in front of Parliament today.

But the group is expected to draw a bigger crowd when it brings its cause to KLCC at 2pm on Saturday.
Dubbed the ‘Malaysians Can Walk Freely’ campaign, this event seeks to gather citizens in a walk through KLCC park.

“You dont have to bring any placard or banner. Let's show the police how we can demonstrate anytime anywhere with the simplest preparation - we will just wear yellow.

“If you want to make your message clearer, bring a Malaysian flag. The flag represent our freedom,” said campaign coordinator Wong Chin Huat (top, in yellow shirt).

Reclaiming fundamental rights

Wong said freedom of assembly is a fundamental right for all Malaysians and there was no need for policing such a right.

“We just need the police to maintain order and direct traffic. Demonstrators should inform the police for mere purpose of coordination, not for permission.

“We will stand and walk in the park, breathing free air. Yes, freedom is really about being where you want to be. It's so simple. Be ourselves and we will already be demonstrating,” he said.

KKB has also scheduled a candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka on the same day. It will kick off at 8pm, while a public forum on the matter would be held on Nov 29 at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Wong said Malaysians in four Perth, Tasmania, London and Hong Kong are also planning similar campaigns.

The Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 has been widely criticised by human rights groups, including the government funded Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), and Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

It was argued that the Bill seeks to provide the police and the home minister more powers and banning street demonstrations altogether.

The first round on Dewan Rakyat debates on the Bill will kick off on Tuesday.