“It is definitely a landmark ruling, with the court’s decision also maintaining that no suit can be brought under the PAA (Peaceful Assembly Act) for damages,” the former Bersih 2.0 chairperson said, adding the 2015 High Court judgment was “largely upheld”.
Earlier today, the Court of Appeal panel, led by Justice Rohana Yusof, unanimously ruled in the electoral watchdog group’s favour, dismissing the appeal by the government to seek for damages over property damage during the Bersih 3 rally in 2012.
Previously, the High Court had thrown out the government’s lawsuit seeking RM110,543 in special damages to repair police cars that were damaged during the rally and other cost.
Meanwhile, current Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah also welcomed the court’s decision.
“I think the decision recognised the standards that are set up internationally.
“The authorities along with those protesting have equal responsibility and one does not sue the other just because they are protesting,” she said.
Chin added that today’s ruling will also be a morale booster for the organisers and participants of upcoming rallies in the country, including the #TangkapMO1 rally which will be held this weekend and the impending Bersih 5 gathering.
“We as citizens have the right to assemble and we will go on.”