AGC withdraws bid to review ruling on peaceful assembly notice

LocalPolitics
16 Jan 2026 • 4:49 PM MYT
The Vibes
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THE Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has withdrawn its application to review the Federal Court’s landmark decision that a key section of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) is unconstitutional.

Former Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi confirmed the development, and that he had received a notice of withdrawal from the AGC through his lawyers.

The review, filed on Dec 12, 2025, sought to reopen charges against Amir Hadi, who was acquitted in August 2025 after Section 9(5) of the PAA, the provision under which he was charged, was struck down by the apex court.

"This means that the notice of motion filed by the Prime Minister's Department to review the apex court's decision concerning Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, including the request to reopen prosecution against me, has been withdrawn.

"When the surprising decision to review the Federal Court's ruling was announced in my media statement dated Jan 13, many spoke out, including those who are now part of the government.

"These include Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Hassan Karim and my friend Mandeep Singh, who have consistently supported me from day one.

"They are proof that, even when in positions of power, truth should not remain silent. It is not impossible. What is needed are principle and courage," he said in a statement today.

The U-turn comes just days after senior government figures publicly urged the attorney general to drop the review in favour of pursuing parliamentary reforms. - January 16, 2026