Bid to have PAA declared 'unconstitutional'

An application has been filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, seeking a declaration that the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) is ‘unconstitutional’.

This is a bid to have the PAA charges struck out against PKR’s Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and party employee Muhammad Adib Ishar, for having allegedly organised the KL ‘Black 505' rally in Padang Merbok, without approval in June.

The application was filed today by their lawyers Latheefa Koya and Eric Paulsen.

However, the trial against the duo will proceed as scheduled today in the KL Sessions Court, pending any decision by the higher court.

Also facing trial are Seremban MP Anthony Loke Siew Fook and PAS’ Batu Burok assemblyperson Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad.

Latheefa had asked for the trial of four of them at the Sessions Court to be postponed pending the outcome of the application, but judge Tuan Mat Ghani said that he would wait for an order from the High Court before doing so.

“I don’t have the powers to potspone trial unless I receive an order from the High Court,” he said.

To this, Latheefa said that she would apply for a stay on proceedings with the High Court, and Mat Ghani agreed to it.

“By all means, go ahead with that. But this application should have been filed the day they were charged, not on the day of trial,” he said.