Having faced numerous rounds of police questioning over participation in public rallies and once acquitted from a related charge, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said "restrictions" to peaceful assemblies should no longer arise.
Asked for comments on a gathering planned by Perikatan Nasional Youth this weekend, Adam noted the organisers led by Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal were summoned for questioning at the Dang Wangi police headquarters this afternoon.
"Going by Wan Ahmad Fayhsal's statement, police have cooperated by summoning organisers in line with Section 13 of the PAA (Peaceful Assembly Act).
"With that statement, this matter (on restriction) has been settled.
"There is no issue on restriction, obstruction or action by the government, so long as no laws are broken," the PKR Youth chief told Malaysiakini.
Earlier today, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said the Dang Wangi police, during their 90-minute meeting, did not issue any instructions to bar the gathering from taking place.
However, the Machang MP said PN Youth's planned Sept 16 gathering in Bukit Bintang will be a celebration of Malaysia Day, as opposed to an original premise of protesting the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) handed to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
On Monday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGP) Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay reportedly warned "stern action" against rally organisers and participants, at the time stating no "permit" application has been received.
Commenting further, Adam pointed out that the PAA has removed the necessity to obtain a police permit for a public gathering, and instead only a formal notification is required - along with permission from the owner of the gathering place.
"This is under the PAA and a follow-up meeting with the police will be held if deemed necessary," he added.
"The intent of the PAA including amendments passed in 2019 is to facilitate a public assembly, in line with the public's right to peacefully assemble.
"The government upholds the spirit of the PAA in line with its intention," Adam stressed.
Several months prior to winning his Hang Tuah Jaya parliament seat in GE15 last year, Adam and other Pakatan Harapan Youth leaders were among those questioned by police over the July 23 Turun protest in Kuala Lumpur, held in response to rising prices of goods under then-prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
On Nov 28, 2017, Adam was acquitted by the Magistrate’s Court over an unlawful street protest charge stemming from a #KitaLawan rally in 2015.
Magistrate Ahmad Solihin Abdul Wahid handed the acquittal after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Adam. - Mkini
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