The civil society groups which met United States President Barack Obama today were told that while the US recognised the violations of human rights in Malaysia, it must balance the issue with economic ties between the two countries.

"He said while the US recognised the civil liberties violation in Malaysia but at the same time they have to balance the issue with the economic ties they have with Malaysia.

"So that tells you quite a bit and this message was repeated not once but twice," Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah told Malaysiakini ...