Akta Perhimpunan Aman 2012
Applies to: Federal Act · Official text ↗
- Defines key terms such as 'assembly', 'organizer', 'participant', and 'prohibited places' (s 3).
- Establishes the right to assemble peaceably and without arms, with specific exclusions for non-citizens, children, and certain locations (s 4).
- Sets out the responsibilities of organizers to ensure compliance with the law and public safety (s 6).
- Outlines the duties of participants to behave orderly and comply with instructions (s 7).
- Requires organizers to notify the police five days before an assembly, with specific exemptions (s 9).
- Allows the police to impose restrictions and conditions on assemblies for security or public order (s 15).
- Provides a mechanism for organizers to appeal restrictions to the Minister within a set timeframe (s 16).
- Grants police powers to arrest offenders and disperse assemblies that violate the law (ss 20–21).
What this law is
The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (Akta Perhimpunan Aman 2012) is numbered Act 736 in the Laws of Malaysia.
Its long title, as printed in the official text: An Act relating to the right to assemble peaceably and without arms, and to provide restrictions deemed necessary or expedient relating to such right in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof or public order, including the protection of the rights and freedoms of other persons, and to provide for related matters.
Read every section, the amendment history and the official copy on our law library page for this Act.
How the Act is arranged
- Part I — Preliminary (ss 1–3)
- Part II — Right to assemble peaceably and without arms (ss 4–5)
- Part III — Responsibilities of organizers, participants and police (ss 6–8)
- Part IV — Requirements on organizing of assembly (ss 9–19)
- Part V — Enforcement (ss 20–21A)
- Part VI — Miscellaneous (ss 22–27)
Part titles are from the official arrangement of sections.
Time limits in this Act
| What | Limit | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Organizer must notify the police before the assembly | five days before the date of an assembly | s 9(1) |
| Police must respond to the notification | within three days of the receipt of the notification | s 14(1) |
| Organizer must appeal restrictions to the Minister | within twenty-four hours of being informed of the restrictions and conditions | s 16(1) |
| Minister must decide on the appeal | within twenty-four hours of receipt of the appeal | s 16(2) |
Offences and penalties
| Offence | Penalty (as written in the Act) | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Non-citizen organizes/participates, assembly at prohibited place, person under 21 organizes, or child participates (unauthorized) | fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit | s 4(3) |
| Recruits or brings a child to an assembly (unauthorized) | fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit | s 4(4) |
| Fails to notify the police as required | fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit | s 9(5) |
| Fails to comply with restrictions and conditions | fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit | s 15(3) |
| Fails to comply with an order to disperse | fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit | s 21(3) |
Laws cited on this page
| Act 736 | Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 Akta Perhimpunan Aman 2012 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
Each law links to our mirror page: a copy of the official text captured on a known date, its version history, and the official source. Law library →
Key sections
| Provision | What it says, in plain words |
|---|---|
| s 1 | The Act does not apply to election campaigns or industrial strikes, lock-outs, or pickets. |
| s 3 | Defines terms used in the Act — for example, a "child" is a person below fifteen, and "rights and freedoms of other persons" include peaceful enjoyment of possessions, freedom of movement, enjoying the natural environment and carrying on business. |
| s 4 | Non-citizens, people under 21 (for organizing), and children (for participating, except in specified cases) are excluded from the right to assemble. |
| s 6 | Organizers must ensure the assembly complies with the law, does not disturb public tranquility, and includes measures for clean-up and orderly conduct. |
| s 7 | Participants must refrain from disruptive, offensive, or illegal behavior and must follow orders from the police or organizer. |
| s 9 | The organizer must notify the Officer in Charge of the Police District five days before the assembly (s 9(1)), by A.R. registered post, courier or hand (s 9(4)). This does not apply to assemblies at a designated place of assembly or those in the Third Schedule (s 9(2)); for a religious assembly or funeral procession the organizer may inform the police and ask for help with traffic or crowds (s 9(3)). |
| s 10 | The notification must include details like the organizer's name, purpose, date, place, time, expected number of participants, and any sound equipment. |
| s 14 | The police must respond to the notification within three days; if they do not respond, the assembly may proceed as proposed. |
| s 15 | The police may impose restrictions on the date, time, place, or manner of the assembly for security or public order reasons. |
| s 16 | An organizer can appeal restrictions to the Minister within 24 hours, and the Minister must decide within 24 hours of receiving the appeal. |
| s 20 | Police can arrest organizers or participants who refuse to comply with restrictions, possess arms, or bring children to unauthorized assemblies. |
| s 21 | Police can order an assembly to disperse if it is at a prohibited place, disturbs public tranquility, or involves unlawful conduct, using reasonable force if necessary. |
Worked examples
Facts. Ahmad wants to hold a rally in a park in Kuala Lumpur. He sends the notification to the police only two days before the event.
The law. The organizer must notify the police five days before the assembly (s 9(1)). Failing to do so is an offence (s 9(5)).
Outcome. Ahmad commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit (s 9(5)).
Facts. Siti organizes a peaceful march and sends the correct notification five days in advance. The police do not send any response within three days.
The law. If the police do not respond within three days, the assembly shall proceed as proposed in the notification (s 14(2)).
Outcome. Siti can proceed with the march as she originally planned (s 14(2)).
Facts. During a rally, a participant starts shouting abusive statements that promote hostility. The police officer orders the assembly to disperse.
The law. Police can order dispersal if any person promotes ill-will or disturbs public tranquility (s 21(1)(c)). Failing to comply with the order is an offence (s 21(3)).
Outcome. The participant must leave. If they refuse, they commit an offence and are liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit (s 21(3)).
Examples are simplified illustrations with invented names; real cases turn on their own facts.
Questions & answers
Can I hold a protest if I am not a Malaysian citizen?
No, the right to organize or participate in an assembly does not extend to non-citizens (s 4(1)(a)). A non-citizen who organizes or participates commits an offence (s 4(2)(a)).
How much notice do I need to give the police?
You must notify the Officer in Charge of the Police District five days before the date of the assembly (s 9(1)). This does not apply to assemblies at designated places or those specified in the Third Schedule (s 9(2)).
What happens if the police do not reply to my notification?
If the police do not respond within three days of receiving the notification, the assembly shall proceed as proposed in the notification (s 14(2)).
Can the police change the time or place of my assembly?
Yes, the police may impose restrictions and conditions on the date, time, place, or manner of the assembly for security or public order (s 15(1)–(2)).
Can I bring my 14-year-old child to the rally?
Generally, no. A child (below 15) cannot participate in an assembly unless it is specified in the Second Schedule (s 4(1)(e)). Bringing a child to such an assembly is an offence (s 4(2)(f)).
What if I disagree with the restrictions the police impose?
You can appeal to the Minister within 24 hours of being informed of the restrictions (s 16(1)). The Minister must give a decision within 24 hours of receiving the appeal (s 16(2)).
All questions & answers → · Ask your own →
Sources
Related
Police Act 1967Your rights when arrestedFederal ConstitutionThe criminal process: from police report to verdict