'Cops will faciliate anti-Anwar rally but lack of notice makes it hard'
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this is to ensure the safety and orderliness of all participants, even though rally organisers are no longer required to submit prior notice to the police, following a Federal Court ruling that declared Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 unconstitutional.
He acknowledged, however, that the court's ruling has made it...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Police step up in scam fight
PUTRAJAYA: Bukit Aman's Commercial Crime Investigation Department has officially taken the reins of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic). The Home Minister said previously that the NSRC did not have a lead agency despite consisting of the police, Bank Negara, the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission and the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre ( CC). 'Two weeks ago, I, along with the police, met with the Prime Minister, stating that the police are willing to lead the NSRC, and he agreed. So the police have taken the lead in NSRC's operations, effective immediately,' he said after the ministry's monthly assembly yesterday. Saifuddin Nasution said the police needed to lead the CC as the number of scam cases has become worrying. 'Previously, the ones manning the NSRC were appointed by Bank Negara. Now the NSRC will have 129 permanent staff who will handle the 997 hotline 24 hours a day,' he said, adding that a proper headquarters for the NSRC is being planned. 'We hope to better serve the public to curb scams. Awareness programmes on scams will also be intensified,' he added. On another matter, Saifuddin Nasution said the police will facilitate the upcoming 'Himpunan Turun Anwar' rally on July 26. He said the police would ensure the safety of the participants despite organisers no longer being legally required to notify the authorities, following a landmark Federal Court ruling on July 1. However, Saifuddin Nasution admitted that the ruling has somewhat complicated police preparations. 'In the past, when organisers were required to inform the police, the police could better estimate crowd sizes and mobilise resources accordingly, not to restrict the gathering but to facilitate it. 'Now, without prior notice, the police have to deploy all available assets to prepare a suitable security strategy,' he said. He gave assurance that the police will professionally handle the rally, but also reminded organisers and participants to adhere strictly to provisions under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. Saifuddin Nasution said the government fully supports the people's democratic rights, including freedom of expression. On July 1, the Federal Court ruled that penalising individuals for not giving five days' notice before a peaceful assembly contravenes the Federal Constitution, effectively nullifying Section 9(5) of the Act.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Shocking case of alleged infant rape, selling of footage
PUTRAJAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yesterday revealed a disturbing case involving the rape of a three-month-old infant, which was allegedly filmed and distributed for sale. He said he was briefed on the case at midnight – an unusual hour that, he pointed out, underscores the gravity of the incident. 'If a three-month-old baby is raped, filmed and the video is sold — that is absolute madness. 'It's something beyond what any of us can imagine,' he said during the Home Ministry's monthly assembly. Saifuddin did not provide additional details, explaining that the briefing was preliminary and that investigations are still underway. 'This isn't about common crimes like theft or fraud – those follow predictable patterns. 'But when something like this happens, even once, it demands our full attention.' He emphasised that the government's immediate priority is to evaluate whether the police possess the capacity, resources and systems necessary to respond to crimes of such severity. Speaking to reporters later, Saifuddin urged the media to approach the issue with care and avoid sensationalising it. 'If this is widely publicised, it could spark unnecessary polemics, even though it may be an isolated case. That's why I raised it in an internal context. I hope the media will look beyond the headlines and appreciate the broader concern.' He confirmed that no further information, including the identity or location of the victim, would be released at this stage. At the same event, Saifuddin commended Malaysia's intelligence services following the arrest of 36 Bangladeshi nationals suspected of involvement in a foreign militant network operating within the country. 'The success demonstrates the strength of our intelligence capabilities. Without it, the arrests would not have been possible.' He made it clear that Malaysia will not tolerate its territory being used for terrorist recruitment or fundraising. 'Our enforcement agencies are resolute, Malaysia must not become a platform for terrorist activities. There is zero tolerance when it comes to terrorism.' The suspects were detained during three separate operations in Selangor and Johor between April and June. Police believe the group had been attempting to recruit new Islamic State members from Malaysia's migrant labour sector, targeting workers in factories, petrol stations and construction sites. Recruitment efforts were also believed to have been carried out via social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram. On another matter, Saifuddin confirmed that police have officially assumed leadership of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) to bolster the country's response to online financial fraud. He said the decision, endorsed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was prompted by the growing scale and complexity of financial scams nationwide. Previously, the NSRC functioned as a collaborative initiative involving the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre, the police, Bank Negara Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), but operated without a designated lead agency. 'The NSRC's 997 hotline now receives close to 500 calls daily. 'According to the latest data from the National Social Council, reported losses have reached RM1.6 billion.' Under the new structure, the NSRC will be managed by the police's Commercial Crime Investigation Department, with 139 new positions created to support its expansion.
Malaysian Reserve
17 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
'Turun Anwar' rally: No notice makes it difficult, but police will facilitate — Saifuddin
PUTRAJAYA — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will facilitate the Himpunan Turun Anwar rally, scheduled to take place in the capital on July 26. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this is to ensure the safety and orderliness of all participants, even though rally organisers are no longer required to submit prior notice to the police, following a Federal Court ruling that declared Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 unconstitutional. He acknowledged, however, that the court's ruling has made it a little difficult for PDRM to plan appropriate security measures. 'If organisers were still required to inform the police, we would at least know the venue and expected crowd size, allowing us to deploy personnel accordingly, not to obstruct, but to facilitate the gathering. 'But now, without prior notification, the police must fully mobilise all available resources to devise an appropriate strategy,' he told a press conference after the Home Ministry's monthly assembly today. Despite the challenges, Saifuddin gave assurance that PDRM will manage security professionally. He also reminded organisers and participants to abide by the existing provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. Organisers, he said, are responsible for ensuring that no dangerous weapons are brought to the rally, no speeches undermine the monarchy or religious harmony, and that children are not involved in the gathering. 'If police take action, don't claim your freedom has been violated because the relevant laws still apply. 'I just want to stress that if they want to proceed with the rally, it's their democratic choice because the government has never suppressed the people's freedom of expression,' he said. On July 1, the Federal Court ruled unanimously that penalising organisers for failing to notify police five days in advance of a peaceful assembly is unconstitutional. According to the five-judge panel, Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, which imposes fines for failing to give prior notice, constitutes a form of prohibition, not a permissible restriction under Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution. — BERNAMA
