KUALA LUMPUR: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) claims there are double standards for protests or rallies on the part of the police and urges for this to end.

       "There is a clear double standard, the government has placed a clear line especially when it comes to protests related to the war in Gaza," claims Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy.

       "Whenever it is anything the public wishes to do, there is always a pressure put towards them to not hold the rally," he said during the launch of Suaram’s Malaysia Human Rights Report 2023 on Wednesday (March 27).

       He said that the Save Malaysia rally on Sept 16 last year was a case of double-standards as protesters were told to stop gathering outside the Shah Alam Mosque.

       "However, such attempts were not seen at the gathering outside the Federal Territory Mosque calling for a royal pardon for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in October last year.

       "Investigations were also subsequently opened against the Save Malaysia Rally with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police warning that stern action would be taken against rally organisers and participants," said Doraisamy.

       He said police rejected multiple notices for the Women’s March earlier in March while protests against the war in Gaza had gone on without issue.

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       He also called for amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, to guarantee all individuals the right to peacefully assemble in public spaces.