A civil society group has criticised the police for blocking an anti-rape gathering last weekend and said the move appeared to signal unwillingness of the authorities to cooperate with the public in fighting crime.

Penang-based social reform movement Aliran said the police had acted "absurdly" by demanding for the organisers, the All Women's Action Society (Awam), to have the venue owner's approval before a police permit can be issued.

"The police should know very well that venue owners are only willing to give permission to the organisers when a police permit is produced," said Aliran assistant secretary Dr Mustafa K Anuar in a press statement.

The Awam public awareness campaign scheduled to take place at the Mid Valley Exhibition Hall last Sunday had to be postponed due to refusal by both, the police and hall owners, to confirm the permission for the event.

Awam was also unable to hold an outdoor march in Bangsar, as was initially planned, to highlight citizens' concerns over violent and sexual crimes after police refused a permit on grounds of "public security".

A small gathering was held nevertheless outside the Bangsar Shopping Complex on Sunday afternoon but the police moved in shortly to disperse the activists.

Gender-insensitive cops

Mustafa said the police move to block the gathering was illogical as Awam's efforts to hold a public gathering to protest the rising tide of violence against women should have been applauded.

"One would have expected the authorities to give full and unconditional backing to the gathering instead of leading us to believe that they lack compassion and are gender-insensitive," he said.

The Aliran activist said police should have learnt from this year's May Day gathering when events proceeded peacefully with cooperation from the police ( right ).

"In spite of the police apprehension before the May Day gathering, they were pleasantly surprised that the gathering was so orderly and responsible and even complimented the organisers."

He said police should give the real reason behind their rejection of Awam's applications, which the latter had criticised to be a violation of the public's rights to peaceful assembly.

"Are we to conclude that the authorities are worried that by allowing such gatherings, it would mean giving in to the people's demand for more democratic space and recognising their right to assemble peacefully?

"Aliran calls on the relevant authorities to reconsider their decision. To do otherwise would be tantamount to undermining the public's right to freedom of expression and security," he added.