Cops begin probe into Bersih's rally for reforms

 

Police have opened investigation papers over the #Reformasi100Peratus gathering which was held at the entrance of the Parliament building today.

Dang Wangi district police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya said the organisers of the rally will be called up soon, as the gathering was held without at least five days’ advance notice being given to the police.

“Investigations will be conducted under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012,” he told Bernama.

According to the act, notification notices along with supporting documents must be submitted at least five days from the date the assembly is organised.

However yesterday, Lawyers for Liberty reminded the police that the Court of Appeal in 2014 had already struck down the provision.

Earlier, around 100 participants gathered at the Tugu Negara before marching to Parliament to hand over a memorandum.

Dressed largely in black and yellow shirts, the group was led by Bersih leaders Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, Asraf Sharafi Mohd Azhar and Wong Yan Ke.

They handed over a memorandum calling for term limits for the prime minister, enhanced whistleblower protection and a review of the Sedition Act.

The electoral watchdog also called for an end to the practice of issuing a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to politicians and a stop to double standards in the application of the law, referencing the pardon process surrounding the appeal of jailed ex-premier Najib Abdul Razak.

The memorandum was received by Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim and Selayang MP William Leong, both from PKR.