CSOs call for a timetable for government reform of restrictive legislation
Originally published Global Voices Global
demonstrators during protests in his chair (change) in Kuala Lumpur in 2011Photo: From the Neur Sun preservative, the picture from the Wikipedia site. Innovative public license - Class 3.0 ratios not registered
This article is part of a series of "in the Light Circle" for September 2026 of Global Voices.Invoking under democracyDuring this circle, where we reveal the multiple forms of protest, the methods used by States to delegitimize and suppress them, and the complex relationship between protest and democracy. You can support this coverage by donating. Here.I'm sorry.
Human rights defenders call on the Malaysian Government to amend Peaceful Assembly ActIt contains numerous provisions used by police and local authorities to weaken, disrupt and even criminalize public protests and gatherings. Despite the constant promises of months to change the controversial clause, the Government has always delayed the amendments.
The Act was passed in 2012 and used by successive Governments as a weapon to indict harassment against protest organizers and leaders of civil society organizations.
After years of condemning the law, civil society groups achieved a decisive victory in 2025, when Pledge. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, amending the most extreme sections of the law, in particular section 11, which requires the consent of the landlord prior to a meeting or protest in a given location.
Follow that. Judgement The Federal Court of July 2025, which repealed section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act as unconstitutional and invalid, requires the notice of the police at least five days before protest or assembly. Failure to do so is often a crime invoked by the authorities to threaten activists. The Court ' s ruling described the section as " inappropriate interference " above the prohibition level rather than restricting secured rights.
The government initially sought to review the verdict, but it was dropped after. Meeting The composition of the Council of Ministers in January 2026, which means that the decision of the Court is still valid.
Despite the Court ' s historic ruling and the Government ' s declared obligations, the attempt to amend the law in the House of Representatives has stalled last year.
The police opened a protest in July 2025 near the House of Representatives, where Student of protesters By amending the brutal legislation. The police also tried to prevent demonstrators from submitting a memorandum to legislators against “repressive law”.
Adnan. Nallini Elomalay, Senior Malaysian Programme Officer, Article 19, World Human Rights Watch, Police in its statement:
Peaceful assemblies are crucial in bringing to light topics of legitimate public interest. Yet, those who call for accountability, including the reform of archaic laws that are not in line with international standards, are often repressed or silenced.
Peaceful assemblies are crucial to highlighting subjects of legitimate public interest. However, those who advocate accountability, including amendments to old laws that are not in line with international standards, are often suppressed or silenced.
Going on. Authorities based on the law to threaten protest organizers, prompting the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) Issuance Reminder in February 2026 addressed to law enforcement bodies.
SUHAKAM notes that the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 places responsibilities on the authorities, including the police, to manage assemblies in a lawful, proportionate and facilitative manner. Any enforcement action taken should be grounded in clear legal authority, respect due process, and be appropriate to the circumstances.
SUHAKAM indicates that the 2012 Peaceful Assembly Act places responsibilities on the authorities, including the police, to administer gatherings in a legal, proportional and concessional manner. Any legal action taken must be based on clear legal authority, respect for the necessary legal procedures and be appropriate to the circumstances.
In April 2026, I expressed Amnesty International Malaysia deplored the lack of meaningful action to amend the law.
More than a year on, there has been no substantive overhaul of the law. Instead, authorities have continued to rely on its repressive provisions, alongside the Penal Code and Minor Offences Act, to investigate and intimidate p r o testers.
Announcements of reform alone are not enough, as people are still being arrested, investigated, and intimidated for speaking out. The government must urgently amend the Peaceful Assembly Act as it has promised, ensuring it is in line with international human rights law.
More than a year later, there was no substantial amendment of the law. Instead, the authorities continued to rely on its repressive provisions, together with the Penal Code and the Code of Simple Crimes, to investigate and intimidate demonstrators.
Reform announcements alone are not sufficient, as people continue to be arrested, investigated and intimidated by expressing their views. The Government must urgently amend the law of peaceful assembly, as promised, to ensure its compatibility with international human rights law.
The spokesman for Amnesty International Malaysia, Divya Cheshan Balakrishnan, noted that anti-corruption activists and student demonstrators were still Accused Organization of protests. Malaysia ' s global position on human rights was often contrary to its domestic procedures. For example, I argued that although the Malaysian Government criticized Israel ' s attacks on the Palestinian people, it also ordered Arrest.Some of the individuals who protested Israel ' s objection to the global stalemate.
In August 2026, civil society groups urged the Malaysian Chamber of Deputies to submit a clear timetable for amending the Peaceful Assembly Act. During the press conference, Pierce. Advocacy Officer Ans Norga In short.The feelings of human rights defenders. “The same promise remains repeated, but the long-awaited amendments are still pending at the study stage”.
