Non-governmental organisation Negara-Ku wants the government to give room to the people and not view all criticisms as seditious in nature.

Its patron, Datuk S. Ambiga also called on the government to treat Malaysians equally.

“We want the government to take care of us, not put us behind bars for expressing our views,” she said at the Malaysia Day picnic today.

Some 100 people gathered at the picnic, dubbed ‘Piknik Rakyat’ as early as 9am.

Also present were University Malaya’s law lecturer Prof Dr Azmi Sharom and national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said.

Samad had also recited two poems, titled "Di Atas Padang Sejarah" and "Di Atas Padang Sejarah 2."



The group also sang the national anthem and later had breakfast together.

Following the picnic, Ambiga said the NGO will also organise two forums in Kuala Lumpur. The date and place will be set later, she said.

Ambiga said the NGO will also organise a forum titled 'Revisiting the Malaysia Agreement' on Sept 29 at KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.