A lance corporal has testified in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court that she is “not well versed” with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, although she is tasked with handling applications to hold such gatherings.
Zieharina Baharuddin said no formal training had been conducted for police officers in relation to the PAA, and that they merely “followed our predecessors' guidance”.
She said this when cross-examined during the trial of four Pakatan Rakyat representatives, who are alleged to have violated the PAA in relation to the KL ‘Black 505' rally in Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur, on June 22.
PKR’s Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, the DAP’s Seremban MP Anthony Loke (right), PAS’ Batu Burok assemblyperson Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad and PKR staffer Muhammad Adib Ishar are alleged to have organised the gathering without approval.
If convicted, they are liable to a maximum fine of RM10,000.
Zieharina was the officer who had received and processed the application submitted by Muhammad Adib.
"Do you know that fundamental rights provide for freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and others?" defence lawyer Eric Paulsen asked her.
"I do not know," she replied.
Zieharina Baharuddin said no formal training had been conducted for police officers in relation to the PAA, and that they merely “followed our predecessors' guidance”.
She said this when cross-examined during the trial of four Pakatan Rakyat representatives, who are alleged to have violated the PAA in relation to the KL ‘Black 505' rally in Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur, on June 22.
PKR’s Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, the DAP’s Seremban MP Anthony Loke (right), PAS’ Batu Burok assemblyperson Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad and PKR staffer Muhammad Adib Ishar are alleged to have organised the gathering without approval.If convicted, they are liable to a maximum fine of RM10,000.
Zieharina was the officer who had received and processed the application submitted by Muhammad Adib.
"Do you know that fundamental rights provide for freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and others?" defence lawyer Eric Paulsen asked her.
"I do not know," she replied.
She also conceded that the conditions imposed on rally organisers - as stipulated in the PAA - are not given to applicants when they fill the required form.
"Would you agree that a common man might not know what the conditions are when filling the form?" another defence lawyer Gobind Singh Deo asked.
"Yes, I agree," Zieharina told the court.
The trial resumes tomorrow before Justice Mat Ghani Abdullah.
"Would you agree that a common man might not know what the conditions are when filling the form?" another defence lawyer Gobind Singh Deo asked.
"Yes, I agree," Zieharina told the court.
The trial resumes tomorrow before Justice Mat Ghani Abdullah.
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