KUCHING, Aug. 30 -- The 'Justice for Zara' rally scheduled to take place here tonight has been called off.

A spokesman for the organisers confirmed the cancellation when contacted today.

"It's not happening. I can't say why and I can't make any announcement either. We just need a bit more time, so it won't be today. We will work on it for the future, and there will be another venue later," he said.

It is understood that while police had approved a permit for the gathering, local authorities did not grant permission for the proposed venues.

Among the locations applied for were Padang Merdeka, Dataran Stadium Pandelela Rinong, the Amphitheatre, and the Civic Centre.

The organisers earlier said they had submitted a request letter to the...