Police are investigating organisers of the Women’s March Malaysia (WMMY) 2024 for alleged offences under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and the Minor Offences Act 1955.
When contacted, Dang Wangi police chief Noor Dellhan Yahya confirmed the probe under Section 15 of the PAA 2012 and Section 14 of the MOA 1955.
“Aside from organisers submitting their notice under the PAA, we (police) have set (other) conditions.
“Based on our probe, we have opened investigation papers against the organiser for breach of certain conditions,” Noor Dellhan told Malaysiakini.
Both sections relate to the conduct of the rally - an alleged breach of conditions set by police, as well as displays of “insulting behaviour”.
“We paired the two (separate) sections. At the rally, there were placards with ‘sensitive’ elements.
“That was among our (initial) advice to the organisers,” he said.
Section 14 of the MOA 1955 states: “Any person who uses any indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting words, or behaves in a threatening or insulting manner, or posts up or affixes or exhibits any indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting written paper or drawing with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, or whereby a breach of the peace is likely to be occasioned, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred ringgit.”
A fight for rights
A breach of PAA conditions under Section 15 is punishable by a fine not exceeding RM10,000.
WMMY organising committee is withholding comment for now until further information is given behind the probe, a spokesperson told Malaysiakini today.
Yesterday, organisers led some 200 participants from the Sogo shopping complex to Dataran Merdeka, highlighting a range of topics including equal citizenship rights, calls to respect the existence of LGBTQ+ communities, anti-violence against women; climate crisis; Orang Asli rights; and equal wages for women.
International Women’s Day is marked every year on March 8 and similar rallies around the globe not only celebrate diversity but also raise awareness on various current issues. - Mkini
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