Walkabouts, door-to-door campaigns don’t need police permit, says AG
FMT Reporters
-November 14, 2019 3:38 PM
Attorney-General Tommy Thomas.PETALING JAYA: Attorney-General (AG) Tommy Thomas poured cold water today on the police requirement for permits in relation to walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning in Tanjung Piai, saying the legal provision on which the demand is based does not apply to the activities in question.
“Apparently, the declaration by the police for the need for such police permits is based on Section 24B (3) of the Election Offences Act 1954.
“With respect, this provision does not expressly refer to walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning. The words used in the provision cannot, under any circumstances, be interpreted to extend to walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning,” he said in a statement.
Since 1955, Thomas added, political parties and candidates had campaigned door-to-door and conducted walkabouts to canvass support without the need for such permits.
The issue surfaced after Election Commission (EC) chairman Azhar Harun said police permits would be needed for door-to-door campaigns.
He said walkabouts are considered a form of campaigning as well.
This followed a meeting between the EC and the Pontian police chief to clarify and coordinate issues related to permits and campaigning rules.
The requirement was panned by Umno leaders as well as electoral reform group Bersih 2.0, who urged the EC and police to revoke it.
When contacted, Azhar told FMT he agreed with the AG’s call.
“If the AG says so, I would refer to his advice because he is the legal adviser to the government,” he said.
“All government machinery should refer to the AG. The police are also part of the government, so they must also listen to his advice.”
