A peaceful gathering and memorandum submission organised by Sekretariat Himpun is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 10.30 am, from Taman Tugu to Parliament.
The memorandum outlines two key demands: a comprehensive reform of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) and the repeal of the Sedition Act 1948.
The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, introduced as part of legislative reforms a decade ago, governs the public’s right to assemble. While it decriminalised peaceful gatherings compared to its predecessor laws, critics have long argued that the Act imposes excessive restrictions.
These include a ten-day advance notification requirement to police, restrictions on the location of assemblies and limitations on participation by individuals under 21 or non-citizens. Civil rights groups claim these provisions continue to hinder freedom of expression and peaceful protest.
The Sedition Act 1948, a colonial-era law, criminalises speech with “seditious tendency,” including content that questions matters such as the monarchy, national language, or special rights of Malays and bumiputera. Despite repeated calls for repeal by human rights organisations, the law remains in use. Detractors say its vague language allows for selective prosecution and has a chilling effect on free speech.
A press conference will be held during the submission of the memorandum.
