The High Court in Shah Alam today fixed February 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 Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa fixed the date after hearing submissions from both parties. On September 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 the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 on August 27, 2015.
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 August 29-30, 2015, was held in a peaceful manner.
"The home minister announced the ban on wearing the yellow shirts on August 27, 2015, while the rally only took place on August 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 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," she said. – Bernama, February 2, 2016. - The Malaysian Insider.
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