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New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Consult us before amending the Peaceful Assembly Act, say civil society groups
KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya should consult civil society groups before finalising any amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act , said Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Ragunath Kesavan. He said this was to ensure the regulations reflect and protect the public's rights. Ragunath said the involvement of such groups would help strengthen the provisions and ensure they align with international best practices. "The government should make it a point to consult us so the regulations are not only stronger but also more reflective of people's rights. "Our input would come from a broad range of perspectives, based on their experiences and observations. "They would have also considered the best practices elsewhere," he told the New Straits Times today. Ragunath said among the groups the government should engage with were Suhakam, the Bar Council and other civil society organisations, noting that such engagement would also help build public trust in the review process. He said the review should not only focus on technical or procedural amendments, but also key changes that could strengthen democratic freedoms. "This includes decriminalising street protests, shortening the notice period for assemblies, and removing the requirement for organisers to get permission from venue owners when a gathering is held in a recognised public space like Dataran Merdeka," he said. Asia Human Rights Labour Advocates director Phil Robertson said Putrajaya would share the draft of their proposed amendments and work closely and transparently with civil society groups at every stage of the process, including each revision of the amendments. He said the goal should be to build civil society support that champions the final amendments passed in Parliament. "The government needs to move decisively away from its preferred method of having government lawyers draft amendments behind closed doors while shutting out external proposals and commentary. "This law involves people's rights, so changes must involve the people at every step," Robertson said. He said the guidelines for revising the law should be based on the requirements of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). "It must also take into account comments and clarifications made by the Human Rights committee, which is the expert body that interprets the convention." He added that the Act must create the presumption in law that peaceful assemblies are worthwhile and should be encouraged, recognising that freedom of expression and peaceful assemblies are the cornerstones of a functioning, participatory democracy. "The government needs to stop fearing people's voices and demands, and understand that protests often highlight problems that need to be fixed, not covered up," Robertson said. . They were commenting on Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's statement that the government was reviewing the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 following the Federal Court's ruling last month that a key provision of the law is unconstitutional. The Federal Court struck out the provision criminalising failure to give police 5 days notice before holding an assembly, stating that it contravened the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. Former Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 imposed a penalty that exceeded what is allowed under Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech, assembly, and association.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
‘Food insecurity akin to violation of human rights'
PETALING JAYA: For some Malaysians, particularly the poor, neglected elderly and marginalised communities, food remains a daily uncertainty, not a guarantee. According to Human Rights Commission commissioner Ragunath Kesavan, this constitutes a violation of basic human rights. 'Access to safe and nutritious food is internationally recognised as a fundamental human right,' he said in conjunction with World Food Safety Day today. Ragunath highlighted Article 25.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of which Malaysia has ratified, as clear affirmations that food security must be protected as a right, not treated as a privilege. Yet, food insecurity continues to impact low-income and marginalised communities, especially the B40 group and neglected elderly individuals. 'Food safety is deeply linked to a person's earning power. Those who are poor are most affected. Even though we have decent food safety regulations, they don't always protect the vulnerable,' he told theSun. Although the commission has not received formal complaints related to unsafe or inaccessible food, Ragunath attributed this to a widespread lack of public awareness that food access is a rights-based issue. 'People don't see food safety as a human rights concern.' Despite this, the commission has taken proactive steps through seminars, stakeholder engagement and advocacy efforts, urging the government to strengthen food security and revitalise the agriculture sector. Ragunath also criticised Malaysia's heavy reliance on food imports, stating that the country has become less self-sufficient since its economic shift from agriculture to manufacturing in the 1980s. 'Even basic staples such as rice are now heavily imported. This makes us vulnerable to global supply shocks and price hikes.' While Malaysia's food regulations focus on technical safety standards, he noted they often overlook affordability and equitable access, especially for marginalised groups. To address this, he proposed shifting from cash-based aid to food vouchers or coupons, which could help ensure consistent access to essential nutrition. 'There should be a minimum national standard for what a proper meal looks like. The current support systems are ad hoc. We need a more comprehensive food safety and support strategy.' He also urged the government to integrate food access into education, public health and poverty eradication policies. 'Nutritious food doesn't have to be expensive. We have local vegetables, grains and fibre. We must promote education in schools and encourage healthy eating habits.' Asked whether the right to food should be legally enshrined, Ragunath said while Malaysia acknowledges its importance, the issue must be given greater weight in national planning. 'Agriculture must be given renewed importance. We should aim for greater self-sufficiency. There should be a stronger policy focus on food justice and safety for all.' He emphasised that food policies must be inclusive and non-discriminatory, benefitting all individuals in need, regardless of race, religion or citizenship status. Ragunath also called on young Malaysians, the media and civil society to take a more active role in advancing food justice, particularly in light of rising malnutrition and obesity across various segments of the population. 'When we talk about obesity or Orang Asli communities suffering from malnutrition, we're seeing symptoms of food insecurity. The solution isn't just treating illness, but also ensuring access to food and nutrition for everyone.' In conjunction with World Food Safety Day, he highlighted the importance of public education and awareness.
