Although our Royal Malaysian Police are well-known for not respecting the rakyat 's constitutional right to assemble peacefully, I must say I never expected them to say ' tak boleh ' to the March Against Rape organised by the All Women's Action Society on July 20 at the Bangsar shopping complex where Canny Ong's abduction took place.

With rape as the major issue that is generating much outrage and horror from peace-loving citizens, I would have thought the authorities would want to be seen as supportive of any campaign against this despicable crime.

Mind you, this march is being organised by a well-respected NGO that has done great work in helping women from all walks of life to fight for their rights.

It even has the support of a Barisan Nasional bigwig, none other than the Women and Family Development Minister herself, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

A male friend of mine says we should march on, regardless, and let the police arrest us.

Just as when they arrested opposition members and lay people who marched for peace against the US war on Iraq.