Former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan has criticised the cancellation of Suhakam's event tomorrow.

“Again giving in to bullies,” she said in a Twitter posting.

Responding to another user, who questioned the reason for giving in, Ambiga replied: “Because we gave in once and therefore have to keep doing it.”

Earlier, Malaysiakini reported the police have advised Suhakam to postpone its event in Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya, to celebrate the International Human Rights Day.

Following this, Suhakam chairperson Razali Ismail confirmed this, saying the police cited security risks.

He also expressed disappointment that the government appeared to be caving in to pressure tactics and extremism.

In an earlier tweet, Ambiga expressed disbelief over the cancellation.

“Asking Suhakam to cancel an event that celebrates International Human Rights Day which many have done for years and years. Wow! That’s a first.

“So now we celebrate by cancelling events rather than having them! Great,” she said, pointing out that Malaysia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council.

The Suhakam event would have coincided with another mammoth gathering planned for tomorrow, where tens of thousands are expected to throng the streets of Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the government's decision not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

The gathering, which is supported by PAS and Umno, has sparked off concerns about possible racial tension.

However, the organisers have pledged that it would be a peaceful demonstration to defend the Federal Constitution.

PAS is expecting a turnout of more than 500,000 for the gathering, which was initially planned to protest the possible ratification of Icerd.

Detractors have claimed that Icerd would threaten the positions of the bumiputera and Islam.