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.