The invitation extended to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) by Keadilan to attend the Jan 20 gathering in Klang was declined because it was only an invitation to an 'open house' to celebrate Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Christmas.

"We decided not to send any observers because it was only an invitation for an 'open house'," Suhakam commissioner Anuar Zainal Abidin told reporters today.

However, he said Suhakam could reconsider its decision.

"If we receive a second request we will reconsider, but we have not received anything so far," he added.

Saari Sungib, president of the organising committee, had sent Suhakam an invitation on Dec 30 to observe the second "100,000 People's Gathering" to be held at Kampung Medan, Telok Panglima Garang, 4km off the Klang-Banting exit off Kesas Highway on Jan 20.

In its reply dated Jan 10, Suhakam thanked the opposition party for the invitation, stating that "after evaluating the matter, (we) regret to inform (you) that Suhakam will not be able to accept the invitation".

A previous Keadilan-organised rally, the first "100,000 People's Gathering" on Nov 5 along the Kesas highway was aborted after police stopped participants from going to the venue at Jalan Kg Kebun, Shah Alam, by cordoning off all exits to the place and creating a massive traffic jam on the highway.

Allegations of police brutality during the event have prompted Suhakam to set up a three-member inquiry chaired by Anuar, a former chief justice. The inquiry has so far heard testimonies from 27 witnesses including that of Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and a 17-year-old SPM student.

Mark of courage

According to a report in The Sun today, Suhakam's decision not to attend was made last week during a routine meeting held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The decision was criticised by several human rights non-governmental groups such as the National Consciousness Movement (Aliran), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) and the National Human Rights Society (Hakam).

"We hope this is not Suhakam's final decision. Suhakam's commissioners owe a responsibility to the public to monitor any gathering and to uphold the freedom of peaceful assembly, a basic constitutional right," Aliran exco member Anil Netto said in a statement on Jan 13.

Netto said that if Suhakam were to be present, it can "influence events and prompt the authorities to act with the utmost restraint and professionalism".

"Last November at Kesas, the absence of Suhakam observers was sorely felt and many ordinary Malaysians were subjected to unnecessary force and humiliation.

"A change of heart would be a mark of courage and honour and would go a long way in strengthening the Commission's credibility and independence," Netto said.