No permit for Women's March, says Home Minister

Organisers of the controversial International Women's Day march in the city centre demanding the protection of rights of women, in conjunction with International Women's Day, held the event without a permit.

Bernama reported Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin as saying no permit was issued by the authorities to hold the march, hence, the organisers had infringed the law by violating the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

"Police have conducted investigations and found there was no permit issued for the assembly. Parties wishing to hold an assembly must abide by the law.

"However, I was informed they gathered without a permit, thereby infringing the law, so I am leaving the matter to police,” he told the media at the lobby of parliament today.

More than 300 rallygoers had converged in the city centre for the march on Saturday, including members of the LGBT community.

The presence of the LGBT community was controversial and sparked criticism from various parties, including de facto islamic Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad.

Despite the backlash, the organisers had stressed that the March called for five key demands.

They are ending violence based on gender and sexual orientation; banning child marriages; ensuring women's rights and freedom to make choices over their own bodies and lives; ensuring a dignified minimum wage of RM1,800; and destroying patriarchy and building a genuine democracy at all levels.

In Alor Setar, Kedah today, the deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said police had opened an investigation paper on the gathering and they will record statements from certain individuals.

"Anyone wishing to organise a parade or gathering should inform the district police chief. Failing to do so is an offence under Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, and as far as I know, no permit was issued for the rally.

"The people must understand that when they gather in a big group, this could disrupt the activities and movements of others, as well as cause traffic congestion. Although they say they have the right to bring up issues in the rally, they have to go by the rule of law," he told reporters, adding that several parties had lodged reports on the matter.

Earlier, Noor Rashid witnessed the handover of duties to the new Kedah police chief from Abd Rahim Jaafar to Zainuddin Yaacob at the Dewan Tan Sri Khalid, Kedah police headquarters. - Mkini