No more ceramah posters, no more PAS and party flags flying ??- the proposed new s.440a

Now, if we were to try and get permission from the Town Council to put up a poster about a ceramah or about some issue being campaigned for by the people, civil society groups, political party - it is almost impossible, and the process is cumbersome, and you have to pay money....

This law also affects what is very common in Malaysia - the putting up of signboards and notices to some 'kenduri kahwin', etc

It also would stop the flying of PAS and other political party flags...which is a common sight in Malaysia from trees, etc...

If public property, you need to get the consent  (WRITTEN authority) of the government or the relevant government body...

And if PRIVATE property, you need to get the WRITTEN consent of the owner.... well, I am sure that many private owners of property usually do consent - but they are not going to give WRITTEN consent (atau PERSETUJUAN BERTULIS). If they do not consent or are not happy, then they will just take down such notices, banners or flags ...or even make a police report - there really is no need to get WRITTEN Consent.

This is yet another move to keep the people of Malaysia like 'frogs under the coconut shell' (katak di bawah tempurung) and give the incumbent government to stop the flow of information, alternative views and propaganda ... 

First, they made the Peaceful Assembly Act - 10 days notification, consent of owners,..

Then we have the case of Lena Hendry - cannot have in possession or use any video/CD, film which have not been approved by FINAS (Film Censorship Board)

Now, no more posters, banner, flags etc without the government approval or WRITTEN CONSENT of the Private Owner.

“Vandalism

440a.  Whoever without the written authority of the Government or of any statutory body in the case of public  property, or without the written consent of the owner or occupier in the case of private property—

(a) writes, draws, sprays, paints, marks, scribbles, scratches or inscribes on any public property or private property any word, slogan, caricature, drawing, mark, symbol or other thing;

(b) affixes, posts-up, exhibits or displays on any public property or private property any poster, placard, advertisement, bill, notice, paper or other document; or

(c) hangs, fastens, suspends, hoists, affixes, exhibits or displays on or from any public property or private property any flag, bunting, standard, banner or the like with any word, slogan, caricature, drawing, mark, symbol or other thing,

commits “vandalism” and shall be punished with imprisonment  for a term which may extend to three years.”.