PETALING JAYA: Police have warned Demi Negara, a movement advocating checks and balances, against proceeding with a planned rally this Saturday.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa said the “Rakyat Lawan Anwar” organiser would be breaking the law if it proceeded with the gathering as it had failed to obtain the consent of the land owner, Perbadanan Putrajaya, as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act (Act 736).
“Yes, they submitted a notice to the police on June 14 which complies with the five-day requirement before assembly.
“However, there are also conditions stipulated in the law requiring them to obtain the landowner’s approval,” Rusdi said.
He said if Demi Negara intended to proceed with the demonstration, the police would open an investigation under Section 9(5) of Act 736 for failing to provide notice.
The rally is scheduled to be held in front of Seri Perdana, the prime minister’s official residence in Putrajaya.
On June 22, the police summoned three influencers from the Demi Negara movement for their statements: Aidil Yunus, known on social media as YB Viral, Tunku Intan Abdul Hamid (Dayangku Intan), and Siti Zulaikha Olivia (Mak Iban Olivia).
Rusdi today said the police were acting on 85 reports received over social media posts by the movement.
“We have opened investigations under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA),” he said.
Section 505(b) prohibits the spreading of statements or rumours intended to cause fear or alarm, potentially prompting criminal acts against the state or public order, while Section 233 of the CMA deals with the misuse of network facilities.
Demi Negara previously accused the police of being used as a tool to intimidate critics of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the government.
