UPDATE: SUHAKAM celebration planned for Dec 8 moved to Sunday

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 7): The human rights day celebration planned by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) has been postponed to Sunday, Dec 8.

It will still be held at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya, Selangor; however, SUHAKAM had been informed that the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not be able to attend the rally.

SUHAKAM chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said the commission was now waiting for a letter from the Prime Minister's Office on the postponement of the event.

In an earlier statement issued this afternoon, he said it had been informed by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Prime Ministers’ office that there will be serious security risks arising out of tomorrow's events that borders on national security. 

However, he said no details had been divulged to it. 

“SUHAKAM is disappointed that a government that is committed to human rights would seem to be influenced by tactics of pressure and extremism that has resulted in the need to postpone the celebration that was planned a few months ago. 

“We apologise profusely to the public, our guests, the participants and volunteers to our celebration,” Razali said.

SUHAKAM will hold a press conference today at 4.00pm at its office.