The organising of the Human Rights Commission’s (Suhakam) Human Rights Day 2018 celebration on the same day as the anti-Icerd rally can be seen as a form of provocation, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa said.
According to Annuar, the Pakatan Harapan government must take responsibility over the matter, even though both gatherings are scheduled to be held in different locations and at different times.
"The gatherings are in different venues, but what say the two groups of supporters bump into each other at the LRT or the convoys meet on the road?
"The government must adopt a responsible attitude in agreeing to a peaceful (anti-International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination) assembly, so let's not have any form of provocation.
"I interpret this (the Human Rights Day gathering) as a provocation meant to distract (attention away from the anti-Icerd rally).
"The government must remember that such a move could create unwanted situations," Annuar said at a press conference after the Kelantan-level Anti-Icerd Grand Finale talk in Kota Bahru last night.
Also in attendance was PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.
The Human Rights Day celebration, to be launched by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad tomorrow, is to take place at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, from 9am to 3pm.
The anti-Icerd rally, jointly-organised by Umno, PAS and coalition of Malay-Muslim NGOs called Ummah, is to take place at Dataran Merdeka, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, from 2pm to 6pm the same day.
PAS calls on civil service staff to attend
Takiyuddin (photo) said last night that Suhakam's event contravened the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
He said: "If you follow the Peaceful Assembly Act, which I studied, you cannot have two big assemblies in close proximity (to each other).
"The Suhakam assembly clearly supports Icerd.
"So there is one (assembly) that supports the ratification of Icerd, and another rejecting Icerd. However, we are determined and will carry on with our rally," the Kota Bahru MP said.
On a related matter, Takiyuddin said the Kelantan government has called on civil service staff to attend the anti-Icerd rally.
He then went on to claim that the federal government had instructed all civil service staff to attend Suhakam's celebration.
"We were contacted by civil service staff who wish to attend our assembly. We welcome them as this peaceful assembly is legal in terms of the law.
"However, I am made to understand that they have been instructed to go to the gathering at Padang Timur for the human rights (celebration).
"So, if before they (Harapan) said BN mobilised government staff, it looks like they are worse," Takiyuddin added.
This comes despite a statement by Suhakam chairperson Razali Ismail yesterday that the Human Rights Day celebration tomorrow was decided as far back as Oct 18, in accordance with dates provided by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Razali also denied allegations that the celebration is being held to disrupt the anti-Icerd demonstration. - Mkini
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