The government has banned any unofficial demonstrations against the US-led war o­n Iraq with immediate effect, local media reported today.

Police chief Norian Mai said o­nly demonstrations organised by the government-backed "Peace Malaysia" group would be allowed, the Malay Mail said.

Any gatherings near the embassies of the United States, Britain, Australia, Kuwait and Iraq would be dispersed.

Norian said security around the missions had been boosted and all leave for police personnel had been frozen following the outbreak of the war.

MTUC memo

The government has strongly condemned the attack o­n Iraq, but has called o­n its Muslim-majority population to avoid any violence towards Westerners in the country.

In recent weeks opposition groups have protested outside the US embassy and burned the US flag.

Malaysia's biggest labour federation today called o­n the government to cut diplomatic ties with the United States and Britain in protest against the war.

"We urge the Malaysian government to not just talk about opposing the US attacks in Iraq but to walk the talk ," said G Rajasekaran, secretary-general of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

Around a hundred trade union leaders representing the MTUC's 550,000 members travelled to the administrative capital of Putrajaya outside Kuala Lumpur to submit a memorandum o­n the issue addressed to Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Rajasekaran later described the police ban as contrary to Malaysia's anti-war position.

"I am surprised and shocked. The blanket ban is not acceptable and should be reviewed. The people should be allowed to express their feelings". AFP