The controversial decision of the police to deny a permit for an anti-rape rally in Kuala Lumpur continues to generate unneeded publicity, as public opinion grows that the force has been deficient in handling a recent rise in sexual assault offences.

The police should have realised that the anti-rape march slotted for yesterday in Bangsar was not targeted against the government, but against criminals, said DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang.