Kuala Lampur, Jan. 31 -- Two rallies in three days.

The first was the anti-corruption rally on Saturday (Jan 25). The second was the paddy farmers rally on Monday (Jan 27).

Both concluded peacefully, with no untoward incidents.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his ministers - once vocal advocates of the right to protest - came under criticism from civil society groups and their own supporters for initially allegedly trying to "block" the first rally.

It's easy to blame the authorities but the scheme of things under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 is straightforward and the requirements are clear.

An organiser must, among others, notify the Officer in charge of the police District (OCPD) in which an assembly is to be held, f...