World · Malaysia Bureau
Court rules DBKL approval not needed for Padang Merbok assembly
Malaysia's Court of Appeal has awarded RM59,449 in damages to the Bar Council and a former Malaysian Bar president after police blocked a 2022 gathering at Padang Merbok, ruling that local council permission was not required for the assembly.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Court of Appeal has determined that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) permit requirement does not apply to assemblies held at Padang Merbok, settling a dispute that arose from police obstruction of a gathering in 2022.
The court awarded damages totalling RM59,449 to the Bar Council and the former holder of the Malaysian Bar presidency following the incident. The judgment clarifies the legal status of the venue as a location where assemblies can be held without prior approval from the local municipal authority.
The case centred on police interference with the assembly, which the court found to be unjustified given the absence of a DBKL permit requirement for gatherings at the location. The decision reinforces established principles regarding assembly rights at designated public spaces in the Federal Territory.
The ruling carries implications for future public gatherings and assemblies in Kuala Lumpur, establishing clearer boundaries for law enforcement intervention at Padang Merbok and potentially affecting the interpretation of assembly regulations at similar venues.