Risks to the security of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the public are among the main factors the 2018 International Human Rights Day celebration scheduled today is postponed, according to inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

Fuzi said the police had advised the organisers to postpone the event following the rally against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) taking place on the same day.

‘’It is cancelled because there is a connection with the Icerd gathering this evening, then there are also security issues which we are worried about if they are simultaneously held.

‘’So, we advised the organisers of the celebration to put it off to tomorrow (Sunday),’’ he told a media conference in conjunction with a 2018 police  circumcision ceremony at the Bukit Aman Mosque in Kuala Lumpur today.

Fuzi said the form of threat expected to take place could not be revealed, but the police viewed the issue of national security seriously including public safety.

“Prime Minister (Mahathir) was also scheduled to attend the celebration at the field and we, as the security force, are responsible in ensuring his safety and that of the Malaysian people.

‘’Indeed, we will be blamed if anything were to happen at the celebration,’’ he said.

Yesterday, the (Suhakam) Human Rights Day celebration in remembrance of the 2018 International Human Rights Day was rescheduled to tomorrow.

Suhakam chairperson Razali Ismail said the venue and time of the event was still the same, namely, at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya, from 9am to 3pm, saying the postponement was made at the advice of the authorities.

- Bernama