Federal Court rules Section 9(5) of PAA unconstitutional — A victory for the people, says ex-Muda sec-gen
01 Jul 2025 01:36pm
Photo: @amirxabdhadi / X
SHAH ALAM - The Federal Court today ruled that Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 is unconstitutional.
This was shared by former Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi in a post on his X account.
He described the success of his bid to refer a constitutional question regarding the Act to the Federal Court as a victory for the people. Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi (left) at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex. - BERNAMA FILE PIX
"Alhamdulillah, the Federal Court had today ruled that Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act is unconstitutional.
"This is a victory for the people to gather peacefully," he wrote in his post.
He thanked Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimum Tuan Mat who led the panel, today and his legal team.
He also extended his appreciation to his comrades and supporters who were present in solidarity.
Meanwhile, Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz had also in a post on her X account said the verdict by the top court was a victory for the people and rights to assemble peacefully.
"The provision was found to be in contravention of the Federal Constitution by the Federal Court led by Tengku Maimum, today. This is a win for the people and the right for the people to gather," she wrote.
On Aug 26, 2022, Amir pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court to charges related to a rally held on Aug 14, the same year to press the government for answers regarding the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) project acquisition.
He was charged, as the organiser of the rally, with failing to notify Dang Wangi district police five days prior to holding the assembly in front of Sogo Complex in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.
He was charged under Section 9(1) of the PAA 2012, punishable under Section 9(5) of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 upon conviction.
He then challenged the validity of the Act.
In August, last year, the High Court allowed his application to refer the constitutional question to the Federal Court.
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