5. Bar Council - No Walk

The Bar Council has called off its "People's Freedom Walk", in view of the "unfortunate and wholly unwarranted" controversy surrounding the event.

"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," its chairwoman Ambiga Sreenevasan said in a press statement today.

She also said the walk would have demonstrated racial harmony and – as has been demonstrated before – that the people can walk peaceably in unity for human rights the world over.

"It would have been an opportunity for the authorities to show to the world that we subscribe to these values," she said. "It is a missed opportunity."

Ambiga said the Bar Council also took the position that the requirement for a police permit, under the Police Act, to hold the event would be a violation of the people's constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

"In fact, the Royal Commission on the Police Force and Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) have said as much, and have called for a repeal of this law, as has the Bar Council. More...