00:00Putrajaya's plan to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 to make it easier to hold rallies
00:07has not gone down well with traders along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, a popular spot
00:11for protests and marches in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
00:15Traders met by FMT fear a relaxation in rules for staging rallies could lead to more of
00:20such events in the area, driving away customers and disrupting their businesses.
00:26Float seller Zailan Mokhtar 53 called for an end to peaceful assemblies being associated
00:31with the street, saying such gatherings deter shoppers who bring along their children and
00:36elderly parents.
00:37He said such gatherings with people holding placards and chanting slogans can cause anxiety
00:43and urged the government to engage with the business community around Jalan Tuanku Abdul
00:47Rahman before amending the Peaceful Assembly Act.
00:51Meanwhile, petty trader Zainul Abidin 38 said they were already struggling with sales
00:55and more gatherings would only worsen the situation.
00:59He said if there's a gathering, small traders could collectively lose up to RM20,000 in
01:04a single day, adding that weekends are crucial for them as the evening market attracts visitors.
01:10On February 13, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government had agreed to
01:14amend the law to make it easier for the public to hold gatherings, including by abolishing
01:18Section 11 of the Peaceful Assembly Act, which mandates that organisers seek the consent
01:23of property owners or occupants before holding an assembly.
01:28Pan Yujo, FMT News.
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