May 13 rally ordered by Najib to be called off

Thursday, 13 May 2010 01:39

KUALA LUMPUR – A "May 13 rally" called by a Malay rights group to mark the 41st anniversary of Malaysia's deadliest race riots has been called off as condemnations of the event gathered momentum. Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat leaders welcomed the cancellation.

The event, reportedly organised by Malay rights group Gertak, was to have been held in Kuala Terengganu with an expected 10,000 attending the rally.

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was expected to speak at the rally themed "Malays arise" but an aide told AFP that he had been informed it was called off.

According to The Star, the gathering was cancelled following a directive from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Terengganu Integrity Institute director Arpin Deraman told The Star that he received a call from the office of Trengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said to postpone the event on security grounds after getting input from the police.

The Thursday rally was organised by the Institute and Gertak.

Gertak chairman Razali Idris was quoted by the Malaysiankini news website as saying: "There are still a lot of people who do not understand our true objectives. We do not want this issue to be politicised by those who don't know."