The National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has urged the police to allow the May 1 rally.

"For this May 1 event, the police have called the organisers (to discuss it) and that is a positive step.

"We hope they have resolved the issues and are allowing the assembly on May 1, and will take action to facilitate the assembly," Suhakam deputy chairperson Khaw Lake Tee said today.

This comes after police reportedly urged members of the public to stay away from the anti-goods and services tax (GST) rally, which they declared as "illegal".

Khaw, a former Universiti Malaya law faculty dean, also said that under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, public rallies are legal.

On a separate matter, Khaw, who was speaking at a press conference on Suhakam's annual report 2013 said that complaints to  the rights body was at a five-year low of 624 last year.

This was on a downward trend from 1,232—the highest—in 2011 and 911 complaints in 2012.

The Sabah office received the most, the complaints being mostly on citizenship and native customary land issues followed by the Kuala Lumpur office, which mostly received complaints on civil liberties and personal safety.

The Sarawak office had the least number , with most being on native customary land.

When asked, Suhakam chairperson Hasmy Agam said that the drop in complaints does not mean that human rights have improved in Malaysia, but better understanding of it.

“Before we received complaints which had nothing to do with human rights,” he said.

He said that Suhakam also prefers to direct complainants to all relevant avenues, like the police and other enforcement agencies, before taking up a case.

He added that the commission also takes on cases where complainants have tried the other avenues to no avail.

“Suhakam is the last resort, unless it is something very pertinent, basic and important or urgent, then we take it on,” he said.