Gobind Urges AG to Drop PAA Court Review, Push for Parliamentary Reform

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 — DAP chairman and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has called on Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to withdraw a cou...

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Gobind Urges AG to Drop PAA Court Review, Push for Parliamentary Reform
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 — DAP chairman and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has called on Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to withdraw a court application seeking to review a Federal Court decision that declared a section of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) unconstitutional. In a statement today, Gobind emphasized that the government is already advancing institutional and legislative reforms, including amendments to the PAA. Gobind argued that, with reform efforts underway, Parliament should be the forum for revising and improving the Act, rather than prolonging litigation through a court review. This stance follows a 2025 Federal Court ruling in the case of Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi, which found that Section 9(5) of the PAA—penalizing organizers for failing to provide prior notice for assemblies—infringes on constitutional liberties. He confirmed that the issue was discussed at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, noting Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil's statement that the government has provisionally agreed to pursue amendments and may recommend discontinuing the review application. Gobind warned that a court review could delay the reform process and restrict improvements to only the specific legal points in question, rather than allowing broader enhancements to the PAA. Reiterating Pakatan Harapan's long-standing advocacy for PAA reforms, Gobind highlighted that amending the Act aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's broader institutional reform agenda. This includes initiatives such as separating the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor and introducing a Freedom of Information Act, underscoring the government's commitment to progressive legal and democratic advancements.

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