The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has been told that police had rejected an application by a women's group for an anti-rape rally in July 2003 on grounds of public order and safety.

The internal security ministry said this in response to Suhakam's query based on a complaint by non-governmental organisations that they were being deprived of the right to peaceful assembly.

Their complaint was lodged when the All Women's Action Society (Awam) was denied a permit for a march to raise awareness against rape and other forms of violence against women, following the brutal rape-cum-murder of Canny Ong.

The ministry's reply was included in an appendix to Suhakam's Annual Report 2004 , which was released recently.

Awam proceeded with a gathering outside a shopping centre in Bangsar, but the 20 protestors were told by police to disperse about an hour later.

The ministry cited this to indicate that "the police tolerated the NGOs in these matters"

It also said Brickfields police had advised Awam to switch to an indoor gathering to avoid causing traffic congestion and obstruction in a public place. This was based on advice from the special branch division at police headquarters Bukit Aman.

Press freedom 'relative'

Suhakam also followed up on issues of press freedom with the information ministry, after online news portal malaysiakini was raided by police in January 2003.

The ministry's response, also in an appendix, insisted that the government has not curbed press freedom, but said journalists and editors have to be responsible in carrying out their duties in order to prevent racial disharmony or threats to public safety.

It further claimed that the public does have channels to voice their opinions and criticism, including political organs of opposition parties.

"Political and social activists are also given the freedom to give opinions, criticism and comments through their publications such as Aliran and malaysiakini . Despite this, there are still views that there is no press freedom in Malaysia," it said.

The ministry said it has encouraged the formation of a media council to enforce the journalists' code of ethics "to enhance professionalism".

"Press freedom is relative. There is not one country that has absolute press freedom, including developed countries such as United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand," it said.

Also responding to this issue, the internal security ministry said it would continue to monitor the publishing industry, to ensure that it complies with the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 (Amendment) 1987.