Human Rights Day march called off

The Bar Council has called off the Human Rights Day march, scheduled for Sunday, 5 Dec, citing "unfortunate and wholly unwarranted" controversy surrounding the event.

Bar Council Chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan's statement:

"The Bar Council has given anxious consideration to the present circumstances that surround this event, particularly the interests of the public and the Malaysian Bar. In consequence, the Bar Council has decided to cancel the walk from Sogo to Central Market"

"Most significantly, it should not be vilified as affecting race relations or be regarded as an anti-government rally."

"We are mindful that many will be disappointed at the cancellation of the walk, but other more significant considerations have prevailed on this occasion."

Information Minister, Zainuddin Maidin's take:

Zainuddin Maidin said street protests should not be held as they would stir up uneasiness among the people and harm racial unity; he told Bernama that street rallies, regardless of what reasons were given, should not be permitted.

Zam wants Malaysia to look good to the rest of the world:

"Any form of street rallies for whatever reasons should not be allowed now as they will only tarnish the nation's image in the eyes of the international community."

The only tarnished image is one of Malaysia's harsh clamp-down on peaceful demonstrations, Badawi's threat to use ISA, and let's not forget Nazri's less-than-stellar performance in Al-Jazeera's 101-East.

Criticising theSun daily for 'promoting' the event:

[Zainuddin Maidin] also criticised theSun for publishing a report on the walk, saying the report promoted the event and that the daily was not bothered about racial unity.

This smells of media censorship.