Former Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph said the government needs to provide clear instructions to enforcement agencies about the amendment to Section 11 of the Act.

“The amendment is long overdue,” he told FMT.

“It is essential that there is clarity from the very top of the government down to the offices and even security guards about this amendment.”

Lawyers for Liberty adviser N Surendran also welcomed the move and called for Section 9(5) of the Act to be repealed.

The section criminalises organisers’ failure to provide police with a five-day notice before a gathering, and Surendran said the provision makes it difficult to hold spontaneous gatherings – which are a crucial aspect of democratic expression.

“The government must ensure that the police facilitate public assemblies instead of creating unnecessary obstacles,” he said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government has agreed to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act to make it easier for the public to hold gatherings, with the abolition of Section 11 among the key changes.

The Peaceful Assembly Act has been regularly criticised by NGOs and political parties looking to hold rallies and demonstrations.

Last month, around 200 participants marched from the Sogo shopping complex to Dataran Merdeka, in Kuala Lumpur, to protest against corruption. Members of PAS, Bersatu and PKR’s youth wings were also present.

The organisers were initially at loggerheads with the police over a requirement for consent from Sogo and Kuala Lumpur City Hall for the use of public spaces as gathering points.

Anwar then said the Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah rally could proceed without issue as the government had already granted it permission.