A second invitation to Keadilan's Jan 20 'open house' gathering has been sent to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today, following the first invitation being declined by Suhakam last week.

"The organising committee feels that it is logical for Suhakam to observe this event in order to obtain first hand information and to witness the true events on that day," committee chairman Saari Sungib said in the invitation letter to Suhakam.

Saari, in his letter assured Suhakam that gathering would be controlled and would be held in accordance with the law.

"The traffic on that day will be controlled to ensure that traffic jams are minimised," he added.

Meanwhile, Kamaruddin Mohd Baria, Suhakam's secretary told malaysiakini that the Commission has received the second invitation from Keadilan.

To be considered

"I will be passing it on to the commissioners for their consideration today," he said.

Suhakam commissioner Anuar Zainal Abidin told reporters on Monday that the decision not to attend the Jan 20 event was made because the invitation was only to an "Hari Raya open house"" and did not involve the issue of human rights.

Anuar heads a three-member panel now holding an inquiry into alleged police brutality during the aborted "100,000 People's Gathering" off the Kesas Highway in Shah Alam on Nov 5 last year also organised by Keadilan.

The rally was aborted after police stopped participants from going to the venue at Jalan Kg Kebun, Shah Alam, by cordoning off all exits to the place and creating a massive traffic jam on the highway.

The Jan 20 gathering will be held at the house of a 76-year-old supporter and is located at Kampung Medan, Telok Panglima Garang, 4km off the Klang-Banting exit off the Kesas Highway.

According to Saari, the gathering is to celebrate the Keadilan's victory in the Lunas by-election, to foster closer ties among reformasi activists and also as a Hari Raya, Christmas, Chinese New Year and Ponggal gathering.