Former inspector-general of police Rahim Noor has warned of a possible attempt by certain quarters to turn Malaysia into a republic, change the constitution and eliminate the monarch system.

NONE Based on observation of the ' Janji Demokrasi ' Merdeka eve gathering in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, he said there appeared to be an "invisible hand" using human rights as a reason to step on photographs of the prime minister's picture and wave flags named Sang Saka Malaya which was similar to two republic-system countries.

"I was wondering, why the incident occurred on the eve of Independence Day. What was its purpose?" he told reporters at the Selangor police contingent's open house here today.

Commenting on human rights issues harped by certain quarters, Rahim urged the authorities to seriously view the matter.

- Bernama