Parti KeADILan Nasional today strongly refuted Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's statement yesterday that the party was planning a riot in the "Black 14" assembly scheduled this Saturday.

"Mahathir's statement simply showed that he is panicky and frightened of the rising awareness among the people (of the government's injustices)," KeADILan youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor told malaysiakini , challenging the prime minister to prove his allegations.

Mahathir was today quoted by several newspapers as saying that the opposition party had prepared weapons and sticks, as well as the molotov cocktail to cause violence and attack police personnel.

"As a responsible citizen, I totally reject any form of violence," Ezam said, adding that he intends to meet the police and cooperate in curbing violence during the event.

Pledging his commitment to continue to lead the gathering in conjunction with the first anniversary of sacked deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's jail sentence, Ezam advised supporters to refrain from bringing any sticks or objects which may be deemed as weapons.

Meanwhile, PAS youth chief Mahfuz Omar expressed concern that Mahathir was trying to incite violence during the assembly.

"His statement is very worrying as there are certain parties (probably from the premier's) who are planning to transform the peaceful assembly into a violent one," Mahfuz said.

He urged the police to immediately investigate the premier for uttering such a "dangerous statement".

He also called on participants of the assembly to be wary of certain parties who would try to instigate violence during the event.

Human rights organisation Suaram today said that the premier's statement was a violation of the Federal Constitution.

"Article 10 of the Constitution reads that participating in a peaceful assembly is the people's right," its coordinator Justin Yong said in a press statement to malaysiakini .

He added that Mahathir's statement was like a cue to the police to act against reformasi supporters.

"Based on previous experiences, the people's assemblies only became chaotic after the police intervened and beat up, chased and sprayed chemical water," Yong said.

Suaram also stated the statement by city police chief Kamaruddin Ali that prohibited the public from participating in the assembly as against the people's freedom to express themselves.

The Sunday Star and New Sunday Times yesterday quoted Kamaruddin as saying that the assembly was illegal as the organisers have not applied for a permit.