Malaysia's civil rights groups vow to continue fight   KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has promised to push for more democratic reforms and allow people greater civil liberties. The reforms came as civil society groups formed a coalition to protest against what they see as government persecution of human rights watchdog, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram). More than 100 non-government organisations have pledged their support for Suaram and they are calling for an end to government harassment and intimidation against the group. Suaram said to have received millions of dollars in funding from foreign institutions. They include the National Endowment for Democracy and Open Society Institute, both organisations based in the United States. Malaysian authorities want to charge Suaram for what it calls "misleading accounts", which has activists up in arms. Activists said the intimidations and prosecutions will not shake them and they will continue to fight for human rights in Malaysia. In a show of support, a candlelight vigil was held at the historic Merdeka Square. Many felt Suaram was targeted for its role in exposing the Scorpene submarine scandal - a deal that allegedly involved millions of dollars in government kickbacks in which the Malaysian defence minister has denied. Petaling Jaya City Council's councillor Cynthia Gabriel said: "We are 100 per cent convinced that the Scorpene expose has got everything to with the attention we are receiving from authorities right now." The Malaysian Bar Council has thrown its weight behind civil society organisations. Malaysia Bar Council's president Lim Chee Wee said: "The government ought to encourage the growth of civil society and not take any step to stifle it outside the law. We do not like to see any prosecution of civil society." "It's unfortunate the government's action has given the impression as the media suggests of persecution," Mr Lim added. Speaking at a law conference in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Najib assured civil society that his government is committed to reform. Mr Najib said: "I am fully aware that there are some amongst us, especially from the rights groups that choose to see the glass as half empty than half full. To them, I have this to say, Rome is not built in one day, the building of a just and equitable society cannot be achieved overnight." It is widely recognized that civil society plays an important role in modern democratic societies and the government's recent intimidations against Suaram have certainly given the country's civil rights movements a boost.