Women’s March Malaysia Say They Have The Right to Assemble Peaceably & Authorities Had Been Informed Beforehand

By Karissa Lund  •  13 Mar 2023 in News

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After a hiatus of three years, Women’s March Malaysia came back full-forced yesterday (12 March) with their ‘Rise and Resist’ march that saw about 300 participants walking from Sogo to Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.

“Our aim is to bring people from all walks of life together to call for gender equality, justice, and an end to all forms of discrimination against women and girls,” wrote the organisation in a press release.

Today (13 March) however, Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Noor Dellhan Yahaya said an investigation paper was opened on the march. It will be investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and the Minor Offences Act.

“All identified individuals in the assembly will be called to the Dang Wangi police headquarters for statements to be recorded in the near future to facilitate investigations. The investigation paper will be completed and forwarded to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action,” he said in a statement as reported by The Star.

Women’s March Malaysia has since then put out a statement saying that the organisers have “taken all the necessary steps to inform relevant authorities and follow the rules and regulations in place before the march”.

Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution clearly states that every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression, all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms. pic.twitter.com/WKrv85ORme

— Women’s March MY (@womensmarchmy) March 13, 2023

Meanwhile, a PAS MP wants stern action to be taken against those responsible for the rise of pro-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) groups at the Women’s March.

“There are some who have taken the opportunity to hijack and share their ideas so that the government will give a green light to LGBTs in the country. This is something that is unacceptable at all,” he said while debating the Budget 2023 at the committee stage in Parliament on Monday (March 13).

Malay Mail reported that more than 30 police officers were on duty keeping a close eye on the demonstrators but the march was peaceful. Along the way, demonstrators chanted for changes to Malaysian policy and law – there were also chants of “everyone is welcome here”.

Women at the march expressed that they felt favourable towards the openness to other segments of society.

In case you missed it, Women’s March Malaysia listed their nine demands that came from their dissatisfaction with certain Malaysian laws while also raising awareness among the public, according to SAYS.

Take a look:

“There has been a resounding lack of movement by our government to protect and preserve the rights of women and other marginalised genders,” added the group.

You can learn more about Women’s March Malaysia by following their Instagram and Twitter.