CHAPTER 1 Commissioner Dato’ Mah Weng Kwai was discussing with a Police officer during the Commission’s monitoring of ‘Tangkap MO1’ Rally Table 4: Assemblies and Rallies Monitored in 2016 NO. ASSEMBLY DATES 1. ‘Bantah TPPA’ 23 January 2. ‘Tangkap MO1’ 27 August 3. Convoy Bersih Sekinchan-Kuala Selangor 15 October 4. BERSIH 5 19 November The following observations and recommendations are based on the Commission’s monitoring of the four assemblies during the year: (a) Freedom of Assembly The purpose and spirit of the PAA is to enable the people to assemble peacefully and for the authorities to play a facilitative role in terms of ensuring the safety and security of everyone including the participants of the rally/assembly. Certain provisions in the Act, however, appear to limit the right to assemble peacefully and/or allow for a limiting interpretation, in particular the provisions on the absolute prohibition of street protests and the organisation of assemblies by persons below 21 years old; the strict requirement for notification ten days prior to the assembly; and the specified prohibited places of assembly in the Third Schedule. It is recommended that these provisions be reviewed to ensure that the right to assemble peacefully is enjoyed by everyone. 62 SUHAKAM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 suhakam 2new.indd 62 3/23/17 5:54 PM