SHAH ALAM: The High Court here today fixed Feb 19 to decide on a judicial review application filed by activist Maria Chin Abdullah pertaining to the Home Ministry’s ban on using yellow shirts at the Bersih 4.0 rally, as well as pamphlets distributed for the event.
Judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa fixed the date after hearing submissions from both parties.
On Sept 18 last year, Maria, an organiser of electoral reform movement Bersih 4.0, together with two others – Masjaliza Hamzah and Fadiah Nadwa Fikri – filed an application for judicial review against the Home Minister as well as the ministry, for the orders issued under Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 on August 27, 2015.
The order mentioned the prohibition of printing, importation, production, reproduction, publishing, sale, issue, circulation, distribution or possession of among other things, any yellow clothing bearing the words “Bersih 4″ and any other printed materials and pamphlets related to the Bersih 4.0 rally.
Earlier, counsel Edmund Bon, who represented Maria during the submission, said there was no evidence to show that Bersih 4.0 yellow shirts posed a threat to public order or national security.
He said at the same time, the Bersih 4.0 which took place from Aug 29-30, was held in a peaceful manner.
“The Home Minister announced the ban on wearing the yellow shirts on Aug 27, 2015, while the rally only took place on Aug 29, 2015. How could it be proven that the rally would be prejudicial to national security before it was carried out?”
Meanwhile, Senior Federal Counsel Suzana Atan said the minister had the jurisdiction under Section 7 (1) of the Act, to issue directives under the Printing Presses and Publications (Control of Undesirable Publications) (No.22) Order 2015.
“If the minister feels there is a possibility or even a slight probability of impending chaos, the minister has the power to ban any suspected items.” – BERNAMA
Source from FMT NEWS
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