Cost-of-living rally: PAA charge dropped against Amanah Youth chief

 

The Magistrate's Court in Kuala Lumpur has freed Amanah Youth chief Hasbie Muda from a charge under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Hasbie's lawyer, Faiz Fadzil, said this follows a representation submitted on March 17 and the prosecution subsequently withdrew a charge against Hasbie (above) for allegedly going against Section 9(1) of the PAA.

"This decision is a positive start for the government that respects the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech as enshrined under Article 10(1) of the Federal Constitution," he said in a statement today.

Previously, Hasbie, who is also a senator, was charged with two others over their involvement in the “Turun Malaysia” rally at the Kampung Baru mosque on July 1 last year, where some 100 people protested the rising costs of goods.

Also charged were Batu PKR Youth chief Muhammad Sabda Suluh Lestari Yahya and International Islamic University Malaysia president Aliff Naif.

The Amanah-led rally had raised three demands for the then government to address the cost of living issues - return food subsidies, remove import permits for food, and to convene a special Parliament session to discuss issues surrounding food supply.

Commenting further, Faiz said the decision is a reflection of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's commitment to tackle the issue of the rising cost of living.

"This is because peaceful assembly is no longer seen as an offence by the AGC (Attorney-General’s Chambers)," he said. - Mkini