Have you notified police of your run?

IMAGINE this. You and your friends intend to meet for your weekly run this Sunday. There are about twelve of you, running from Jalan Duta to Batu Caves and back. You usually meet at Lake Gardens, do your run, then head off for a refreshing drink afterwards.

Wait! Have you notified the officer in charge of the police district in which you run? If you’re planning to run this Sunday, I have bad news for you! You need to give notification within ten days of your plans. Then you need to wait for the officer’s res-ponse, in case he suggests conditions or restrictions on your run.

These are some of the restrictions that the Peaceful Assembly Act has imposed on the nation’s citizens – exercisers included.

Yes, your aunty who practises tai chi at the nearby taman with her friends, your son who skateboards with his friends in the evening, your daughter who practises cheerleading with her schoolmates at the nearby playground all need to notify the officer in charge of the police district in which the assembly will take place.

Article 10 (b) of our Federal Constitution states that “all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms”. The reason why there is no definition here and/or the definition is left in generality is that it is the fundamental right of any citizen to assemble, including in assemblies as innocuous as those above.

The Peaceful Assembly Act states that “assembly means an intentional and temporary assembly of a number of persons in a public place, whether or not the assembly is at a particular place or moving”. Dictionary.com states that “assembly” means a group of persons gathered together, usually for a particular purpose, whether religious, political, educational or social.

Well, then … have you told the officer that your children will be playing with his friends in the neighbourhood park? Wait, hold on, children are not permitted to participate in assemblies at all! Nope, they are allowed only to participate in religious assemblies, funeral processions, assemblies relating to custom and those approved by the Minister (whatever those are).

And if your kids participate in any other kind of assembly than those above, not only have you committed an offence, so has your kid! Yep, better start saving for those hefty fines and be prepared for you and your child to have criminal records, if you intend to let him play with other kids in public places.

Thankfully, some assemblies require no notification such as religious assemblies, funeral processions, wedding receptions, open houses during festivities, family gatherings, family day held by an employer for the benefit of his employees and their families, and general meetings of societies or associations. Sorry, excercisers, looks like it is part of the nation’s policy to let you slide down the hill of obesity.

I guess we could always exercise all by our selves. We could run alone, kick the ball against walls alone, hit shuttlecocks against – no, we can’t do that.

Ya lah, you think I am overreacting – this Peaceful Assembly Act is meant for political assemblies. Still, if that were the case, why list all other kinds of assembly such as religious assemblies, funeral processions, employers’ family day etc.? Why not just state that this was meant for peaceful political assemblies? And on the flipside, what are runners, joggers, tai chi practitioners etc. doing but assembling when they meet in groups?

Sadly, not one single fitness institution or outdoor activity group voiced any concern when the bill was tabled. And why should there be concern? It is our constitutional right to assemble, which means to gather together, with others. If that right is going to be fettered, surely there is need for concern?

Daniel freelances in writing and fitness training, and has a deep passion for health, fitness, sleep and travel. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com