THE Government has abolished one of its most oppressive laws in a move touted as a major step forward for the nation's fledgling democracy movement.
Co-ordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Susilo Sudarman said after a meeting with the Cabinet the Government would scrap controversial regulations which required a permit if five or more people gathered.
New guidelines to be introduced on January 1 would only require applicants planning to hold public gatherings to notify local police in writing seven days before the scheduled event.
Police would then be required to voice any objections within three days.
Previously, almost all proposed meetings had to be approved by three government agencies including the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the military.
According to media reports, at least five permit requests had been turned down this year and 26 meetings interrupted for lack of permits.