KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 -- Although Section 9 of the Peaceful Assemblies Act (PAA) 2012 only sets out that a notification to the police is needed to hold public assemblies, legal experts have said that the process is more complicated than it seems.

A public space, such as Dataran Merdeka, is owned by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and holding rallies in a place owned by DBKL would require its consent beforehand.

"Under the law, DBKL is considered as the owner or occupier of Dataran (Merdeka).

"The provision prohibits anyone from holding any assembly at Dataran Merdeka without a permit from DBKL," said public interest litigator Alliff Benjamin Suhaimi, referring to Section 8 of the Local Government (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) ...