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Friday 16 December 2011

Lee: No restrictions on religious gatherings

The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Freedom for religious gatherings in Malaysia is gua­ranteed under the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 which was passed last month, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said.

He denied that the Bill, which was hotly debated in the Dewan Rakyat, had more restrictions than what is being regulated under existing laws.

“For a street demonstration, you do not need to apply for a permit but notify the police 10 days ahead so they can guarantee the safety of members of the public involved.

“It is the Government’s intention to allow more freedom to the people (to hold public gatherings). To say that there will be more restrictions is not true,” Lee said after opening the Giving Art Exhibition for the National Cancer Society of Malaysia here yesterday.

He was asked to comment on the allegations by two churches in Klang last week that they were asked by the police to submit details of participants in house-to-house carolling visits.

Lee clarified that no permit was needed.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar has advised the public to inform the police of any procession to facilitate security planning.

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