In a report by The Star Online today, Hanif said that Malaysians have the right to organise and participate in public as it is enshrined in the Constitution.
The English daily reported that Hanif said it is stated in the Constitution for people to be part of such democratic process, unless Parliament restricts such right.
"We need voices of dissent but there are restrictive forces, such as the Sedition Act in place.
"There is no life and death struggle. No fight with the communists. Why not more openness and democratic process?" he was quoted as saying by the news portal at a press conference.
He pointed out there are examples of when Putrajaya had been open to such democratic progress, citing the removal of Section 27 of the Police Act which required organisers to obtain police permits before convening rallies.
He also said changing the government can happen, but it must be done in accordance to procedures.
"Get your representatives to vote in Parliament if you want to remove your government. Otherwise, it's anarchy," he was further quoted as saying.
Electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 is organising its fourth rally in the form of an overnight protest at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month.
The rally is scheduled to last 34 hours.
Bersih 2.0's demands this time are for clean elections, corrupt-free government, the right to protest, strengthening parliament democracy and saving the economy.
He also commented on the sudden transfer of two senior Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers, orders which were subsequently retracted after a vast outcry from the public.
Hanif said although the transfer was done legally, it was not conducted in the right way.
"In a democratic society, perception is important and the government had given the wrong impression because of the way it was done," he was further quoted as saying.
- TMI
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