Hanif Omar: Change of government must by done through parliamentary means

There is a way of changing the government but it must be done the right way, said former IGP Tun Hanif Omar (pic).

“Get your representatives to vote in parliament if you want to remove your government. Otherwise, it’s anarchy,” he said at a press conference here.

The trend of having public protests and assemblies is a progression that was foreseen in Malaysia, according to Hanif.

“We need voices of dissent but there are limitating forces such as the Sedition Act in place,” said Hanif.

He emphasised that it is the people’s right, written in the Constitution to be part of this democratic process.

However, Hanif said unless the Parliament restricts this right to the people to hold protests and assemblies, it is right to do so.

“There is no life and death struggle. No fight with the communists. Why not more openness and democratic process?” he said.

Hanif pointed out the Government has been open to allowing such a democratic progress such as the removal of Section 27 of the Police Act 1967 which required people to obtain police permits prior to a rally.

On the transfer of the two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers, Hanif said the government has done things legally but not in the right way.

“In a democratic society, perception is important and the government has given the wrong impression because of the way it’s done,” he told reporters at the second Malaysia Talent Summit.

He also noted MACC officers are subjected to investigations too though they are a special commission.