KL lifts decades-old ban on rallies

KL lifts decades-old ban on rallies

MALAYSIA: A ban on election rallies in Malaysia, imposed 25 years ago, is being lifted ahead of the looming general polls, but the move has brought little joy to opposition parties, officials said on Wednesday.

The Malaysian government imposed a blanket ban on large, open- air election rallies in 1978, citing security concerns while authorities were trying to stamp out a communist insurgency that was finally defeated several years later.

But opposition parties have long accused the government of imposing the ban to restrict their support, and complained that police permits will still be required to hold election rallies.

The Election Commission said the ban would be revoked for the next general elections, expected to be held early next year.

Commission Chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman told The Star newspaper that this will ensure fair play in the elections -- the first in 22 years in which the governing National Front coalition will not be led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. He is due to retire in the coming weeks. -- AP