'Talk Big' Haji Najib defends Peaceful Assembly as 'giant leap', but to where?

UPDATED Evoking memories of the height of Bersih 2.0 crackdown, when all means and ways were used to demonize the movement for free and fair elections no matter exaggerated, Prime Minister Najib Razak defended his Peaceful Assembly Bill as a "giant leap".

He refused to acknowledge the criticism leveled against the new law that has provoked outrage, throwing the blame on the opposition for finding fault.

"It reminds me of a time when Communist China was at its most repressive. Then they had slogans like just like Najib's 'great leap forward'. But the only result was the 'great famine'," PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng told Malaysia Chronicle.

"We may not starve but I fear this step back into time will damage Malaysia's credibility. Nobody is fooled. Investors know what Najib and BN are up. They talk big but they just want to cling to power through all ways and means including outright oppression."

International laughing stock

Indeed, apart from the Pakatan Rakyat led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who plans to protest the new law, the Bar Council and various NGOs including Bersih and Suaram have slammed the Bill as being "unconstitutional". There are plans afoot to challenge the new law in the courts.

It has also attracted international attention and smirks amongst the diplomatic corp, given Najib's penchant for boasting at overseas summits with his Global Movement for the Moderates, which contrasts like night versus day against his repressive rule at home.

Under the existing Malaysian federal constitution, Article 10 already allows freedom of assembly. However, other laws including the Police Act which have been strengthened with provisions such as requiring a license for any public gathering have made a mockery of Article 10. Now with this Peaceful Assembly Act, the situation is worsened.

Since it was tabled earlier this week, critics have flayed Najib for hypocrisy and duplicity as he had in September gone on national TV and grandly promised greater civil liberties. He also promised to make Malaysia "the best democracy in the world".

Now, refusing to admit any grounds for the latest criticism against his proposed Bill, Najib told Parliament on Thursday that it was a “revolutionary” law and a “giant leap” towards improving individual freedom.

“We aware, however, that no matter how noble the government’s intentions are, the opposition has already objected to the law. Supposedly, it chokes freedom to assemble. Is this allegation true? The answer: Not true at all," said Najib.

A penchant for big talk, reverse action

The new Bill outlaws all street protests, forces the organizers to give a one-month notice to the police, regulates, restricts and imposes conditions on an assembly and prohibits anyone under the age of 15 from taking part.

In a sharp twist, the proposed assembly law provides the police with even more power and makes it legitimate for the force to take any action against protesters. It also empowers the Home Minister, who is Najib's cousin Hishammuddin Hussein, with authority to make regulations for the enforcement of the provisions in the proposed law.

Furthermore, protesters could be slapped with a RM 20,000 fine while organizers who failed to give sufficient notice would be fined RM 10,000. This is sheer madness.

According to opposition MP for Klang Charles Santiago, the new law also clearly reflects the political game plan of Najib's government, outlining the BN's fear of losing power at the next general election.

"It caricatures a desperate government which would clamp down on civil liberties to hold on to power. And most importantly, the new Bill demonstrates that we have rogue politicians ruling the country as the stifling provisions are a flagrant breach of the Federal Constitution, that allows for freedom of expression and does not stipulate any age barriers," said Charles.

"None of these provisions are in line with Najib's promise to enable a more vibrant democratic space in the country. The tightening of the noose is very much like the law of the jungle disguised as justice. And in this case, passed off as one which is crucial to maintain national security. Therefore, we could conclude that all this while Najib was pounding the propaganda drum."

Malaysia Chronicle