Malaysia: Five Bills, Including Peaceful Assembly Bill Passed In Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The Lower House of Parliament Tuesday has passed five bills, including the contentious Peaceful Assembly Bill, after debate. Apart from the Peaceful Assembly Bill, four other Bills passed were Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2011, Pensions (Amendment) Bill 2011, Statutory and Local Authorities Pensions (Amendment) Bill 2011 and Pensions Adjustment (Amendment) Bill 2011. All four Bills were tabled by deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong. The Peaceful Assembly Bill which bans street demonstrations but allows regulated assemblies, was passed by a voice vote, in the absence of Pakatan Rakyat MPs who had staged a walkout in the middle of the second reading. Pakatan Rakyat or PR (English: People's Pact / People's Alliance) is an informal Malaysian political coalition. It currently controls four state governments while in opposition to the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) at the federal level. The bill was tabled for second reading by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on Nov 24 while Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz had tabled it for the first reading on Nov 22. Mohamed Nazri when winding up debate on points raised during debate said the Bill was not unconstitutional since Section 2(b) of the federal constitution allowed Parliament to enact legislation to protect public order and safety. The Lower House of Parliament session continues Wednesday. -- BERNAMA