Zahid can’t negate people’s right to peaceful assembly, says PKR

Don't put Bersih rally for reforms on same footing as Red Shirt racial extremists, says Fahmi.

KUALA LUMPUR: Home minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reminded today that he did not have the power to deny Malaysians their constitutional right to free assembly in order to deal with racial extremists.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s communications director, Fahmi Fadzil. said the threat to public order from groups like the Red Shirt protesters was no reason to justify an outright ban on public rallies.

Yesterday, Zahid was reported to have called for an end to public demonstrations. “Enough is enough, no more yellow shirt or red shirt demonstrations,” he was quoted as saying at an event in Sabah.

In a statement today, Fahmi noted that Zahid’s statement was intended to ensure that groups such as the extremist Red Shirts did not upset public order.

However it went against the federal constitution, said Fahmi. As long as public demonstrations were held peacefully and without arms, Fahmi said, Zahid could not deny Malaysians their right of peaceful assembly.

He also said that Zahid should not equate the Bersih 4 rally for electoral reform and the resignation of prime minister Najib Razak with the Red Shirt demonstration by extremists using racist epithets to create tension.

The Bersih 4 rally on Aug 29-30 had taken place peacefully but the Red Shirts tried to break through a police barricade at Petaling Street on Sept 16, forcing the police to use water cannon.

There had also been no word since then of whether those responsible in the Petaling Street incident would be charged in court.