Police boost security ahead of Malaysia Bar protest in Putrajaya

New Straits Times

11 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have confirmed receiving an application from the Malaysian Bar to organise a march and peaceful assembly calling for judicial independence, scheduled to take place in Putrajaya this Monday.
Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said the application was submitted to the Putrajaya district police headquarters last Wednesday.
"We have met with the organisers and advised them to fully comply with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012," he said.
He added that 105 policemen would be deployed to ensure public safety and order, particularly around the Palace of Justice, the route to the Prime Minister's Office, and surrounding areas.
"This is to ensure the event proceeds peacefully and without incident," he said.
He also reminded members of the public to adhere to all laws during the gathering.
Usuf said the march is expected to draw around 200 participants.
Earlier, Malaysian Bar President Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab issued a statement stressing that the march is a legal, peaceful, and symbolic act of civic responsibility.
He said it reflects the legal profession's unwavering commitment to upholding the Federal Constitution, the doctrine of separation of powers, and the rule of law.
"This is a collective declaration that the independence of the judiciary is non-negotiable and must be protected from any form of external influence, whether political, executive, or otherwise," he said.
Ezri stressed that the march is not solely for lawyers but for the judiciary, the Malaysian Bar, and all Malaysians who value justice.
"When judicial independence is compromised, the entire nation bears the consequences.
"Let there be no misunderstanding. The Malaysian Bar is not marching against any individual. We are marching to defend an institution.
"Not for ourselves alone but for the people, whose right to justice must be safeguarded by the courts," he said.