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.

"The cabinet should demand an explanation from the Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai as to why the permit was denied" and rap the force for its "unimaginative and myopic mentality" with regard to public gatherings not sponsored by the government, Lim said in a statement.

He proposed that a clear directive be issued at Wednesday's cabinet meeting to clarify procedures on the issuance of permits for citizens to protest against crime, and for the police to set up a special unit to liaise with civic groups on crime prevention.

"It is a crying shame that, while Malaysians are denied the right to demand a crime-free life, hundreds of thousands managed to gather in Hong Kong three times this month to protest against anti-democratic (national security) legislation," he added.

Police 'inconsistent'

Last week, the All Women's Action Society of Malaysian (Awam) was refused a permit to hold a march from Bangsar Shopping Complex to the nearby commercial area of Bangsar Baru to raise awareness of violent crimes against women.

The organisers were forced to relocate the event to the Mid-Valley Exhibition Centre, but ran into trouble there as well.

The management cancelled the booking and refunded the down-payment, saying that the organisers would have to obtain a police permit first. However, police told Awam that it needed to secure a venue before a permit could be issued.

Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok said the decision of the Brickfields police belied previous assertions that serious efforts were underway to battle crime.

Statistics released by CID director Salleh Mat Som - that there were four rape cases every day and three murder cases every two days - showed that the police need the co-operation of citizens even more than ever, she said.

Kok also expressed disappointment with the actions of the Brickfields police chief in demanding that she vacate the pedestrian sidewalk in front of the Bangsar Shopping Centre on Sunday, although she was merely a bystander.

A group of women activists had gathered outside the shopping complex with banners, to head off supporters who might not have heard that the rally had been cancelled at the last minute.