Release those arrested, Bersih demands

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) has called on the government to release all those arrested for participating in the May 1 rally on Saturday.

It is also calling for the establishment of the Independent Police Commission on Misconducts and Complaints (IPCMC).

"There is no excuse of post-protest harassment and persecution of protest leaders and participants regardless what law is used, Peaceful Assembly Act or Penal Code.

The Police is abusing their power and betraying their constitutional duty by attempting to silence and terrorise the public," it said in the statement.

BERSIH 2.0 also warned the government that will only face greater public wrath if it chooses to persecute the protesters.

READ: May 1 anti-GST rally protesters arrested

The police had arrested 29 people including activists Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and S. Arutchelvan. BERSIH 2.0 is also calling on the public to show support for those arrested for the rally, currently held at Jinjang police station.

"BERSIH 2.0 calls upon the public to show support at the Jinjang Police Station if the police plan to incarcerate the protest leaders and participants for five days till Tuesday through the long weekend," the statement said.

The statement was issued by the Steering Committee of BERSIH 2.0, which consists of Maria Chin Abdullah, Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan, Masjaliza Hamzah, Assoc. Prof. Dr Abdul Halim bin Yusof, Farhana binti Abdul Halim, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, Jannie Lasimbang, Ahmad b. Awang Ali, Abd Halim b. Wan Ismail, Thomas Fann , Simon Lee Ying Wai (Central Peninsula) and Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon.

According to Kuala Lumpur chief police, Datuk Tajudin Md Isa those arrested are aged between 17 and 60 are being investigated under Section 143, Section 448 and Section 427 or Penal Code and Section 4 of the Firearms (Increased Penalty).