The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today received an invitation to observe Keadilan's second "100,000 People's Gathering" to be held later this month.

Confirming this, a Suhakam official told malaysiakini that the invitation was sent by the organiser of the event, Saari Sungib, via e-mail on Dec 31 last year.

The gathering, planned for Jan 20, will be held on private land in Kampung Medan, Telok Panglima Garang, 4km off the Klang-Banting exit off Kesas Highway. ([#1] Second people's rally next month[/#] , Dec 18)

On Nov 5, Keadilan organised its first rally on Jalan Kg Kebun in Klang, which was aborted after police stopped participants from going to the venue by cordoning off all exits to the place, creating a massive jam on the Kesas Highway.

When malaysiakini asked Suhakam commissioner Anuar Zainal Abidin if the organisation was planning to send observers to the planned rally, he said, "We have not decided yet. This has to be discussed among all the commissioners."

Anuar is currently chairing a Suhakam inquiry into alleged cases of police brutality that occurred during the Nov 5 gathering.

Gathering to celebrate victory

Meanwhile, according to Saari, the gathering is aimed at fostering closer ties between supporters of the reformasi movement and to celebrate the Barisan Alternatif's victory in the recent Lunas by-election.

"The rally is also a step to better cooperation between peoples of various races and religions as the year 2001 has been marked by the United Nations as the World Inter-religious Dialogue Year," he added.

The people will gather on land belonging to a 76-year-old loyal female sympathiser of the reformasi movement, who was disappointed that the Nov 5 rally did not take place, Saari said.