The manual emphasizes "Pre-Event Planning." Before any planned demonstration, POMAN requires police leadership to:
To understand the relationship between police and protesters today—from the use of "kettling" to the rules of engagement for tear gas—one must first understand the cold, clinical logic of POMAN 1971. public order manual poman 1971
The Public Order Manual (POMAN) 1971 serves as an internal operational guide for the Royal Malaysia Police, detailing tactical procedures for the Federal Reserve Unit (PSP) to manage riots and public assemblies. Key provisions include guidelines for crowd dispersal, the use of chemical agents, and structured tactical options for maintaining peace under the Police Act 1967. Read more from parliamentary documentation at Sinar Project . The manual emphasizes "Pre-Event Planning
"The book’s changed," Elias muttered, flipping to a section on Proportional Response . "No more 'make it up as we go.' We have tiers now. Warnings. Formations. It’s about containing the heat, not fueling it." Read more from parliamentary documentation at Sinar Project
Famous cases from the 1970s saw anti-apartheid activists arrested on their way to peaceful demonstrations, held for 24 hours, then released without charge—a tactic designed not to convict, but to disrupt.