KUALA LUMPUR: The human rights day celebration initially scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed to Sunday (Dec 9).
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (SUHAKAM) chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said the event will still take place at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya after they were advised to postpone it.
Although disappointed, Razali said they would abide by the advise given by the police and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
"I was informed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun) to postpone the celebration due to security risks.
"However I was not given further details on the risks. We have not received any threats," he said at a press conference held at SUHAKAM's office, here, today.
Razali said they were now waiting for a letter from the PMO on the postponement.
"They also informed us that Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) will not be able to attend and advised us to postpone the celebration," Razali told reporters.
"We are not happy because we have been planning this for months and it has been celebrated every year for the past 17 years," he said.
Meanwhile SUHAKAM commissioner Jerald Joseph said this is the first time they are organising the celebration in an open area.
"This celebration is a carnival to honour basic human rights and not just a gathering.
"So I do not know why security risks have become the reason for us to postpone this year's celebration. But we will abide by it and will have it on Sunday, at the same time and place," he said.