Malaysia mulls allowing protests without permits

Malaysia's government plans to ease a decades-old law requiring police permits for public protests, but only for gatherings held in stadiums and other designated places, reports and an official said Thursday.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Wednesday that the government is reviewing a law that forbids gatherings of three people or more without special police permission. A ministry official, who declined to be named citing protocol, confirmed Hishammuddin's announcement.

Authorities have rarely allowed protests organized by opposition politicians and activists, who complain permits are denied on the pretext of security. Their protests are deemed illegal, and organizers are usually charged in court.

Earlier this month police used tear gas and water cannons and arrested hundreds to stop an opposition-led mass rally against the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

"At the end of the day, it is all about national security and stability," the New Straits Times quoted Hishammuddin as saying. "Thus far, the police had allowed gatherings that do not pose threats."

Hishammuddin said places, such as stadiums and "certain corners of the town," may be allocated for protests but declined to give details pending further studies.

The Star daily quoted him as saying that amendments to the law are expected to be debated by lawmakers in Parliament in December.

He also said the government is considering amending the Internal Security Act.

"The whole idea is to make these acts more relevant to the present time and ensure transparency so that there is no room for accusations of its abuse," the Times quoted Hishammuddin.

Hishammuddin said the government may shorten an initial detention period for investigations and change other provisions, but critics say the act must be abolished. They claim it is prone to abuse as government critics can be labeled a threat to national security and locked up indefinitely.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who took office in April, is struggling to address voters' calls for more openness. His coalition's popularity reached an all-time low last year amid complaints of economic mismanagement, corruption and racial discrimination.