KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi vowed on Friday to suppress a weekend political rally, backing police who warned they will break up the protest and arrest participants.

New York-based Human Rights Watch slammed the government’s stance on the mass rally planned for Saturday, which organisers hope will attract tens of thousands of people, saying it made a mockery of Abdullah’s reform ambitions.

The premier was adamant as he closed his ruling party’s annual talks, saying he was trying to avoid violence breaking out at the protest, which the three main opposition parties and civil society groups are taking part in to campaign for clean elections.“If there is a clash, people will not be happy. This is something that we are trying to avoid,” he told reporters.

“Police have not issued a permit for the rally to take place tomorrow. So it will not take place tomorrow.” Police chief Musa Hassan told the state Bernama news agency that there was a risk of rioting and property destruction at the event in Kuala Lumpur’s Independence Square.

“Members of the public found in the area to attend the gathering are committing an offence and legal action will be taken against them,” he said, adding that 4,000 police would be on duty and roadblocks set up around the venue.

Human Rights Watch called on the government to support free speech as it heads towards elections expected to be called early next year.—AFP