updated report DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang was this morning arrested by police in Ipoh, Perak while distributing leaflets allegedly containing seditious statements critical of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's declaration that Malaysia is an Islamic state.

The veteran politician was however released on a police bail of RM3,000 three hours later. He was asked to report to the Ipoh magistrate's court on July 5.

When contacted, Ipoh police district chief Che Sab Hanafiah confirmed that Lim was arrested at 9.40am for distributing leaflets that contained seditious elements.

Earlier, DAP Perak chief Ngeh Koo Ham told malaysiakini that the former opposition leader was arrested this morning and taken to the Ipoh Central police station.

"He was arrested by Chief Inspector Abdul Wahab Abdul Rahman and informed that the arrest was for distributing the leaflets at the Pasir Pinji market," said Ngeh.

"Lim has also lodged a police report that the arrest was unlawful," added Ngeh.

When contacted by malaysiakini, Lim said his arrest was unlawful and that the police had misused their power.

"How could they arrest me by saying that the leaflets contained seditious elements before they have even read it?" said Lim.

No 'permit'

He also said that when he was arrested, he was informed that it was for distributing leaflets without a 'permit'.

Lim also said that he will meet the Malaysian Human Rights Commission chairperson Abu Talib Othman next week to discuss the arrest.

Earlier in the morning in the Pasir Pinji market, Lim had launched the DAP's People's Awareness Campaign against the Islamic state declaration by Mahathir on Sept 29 last year.

Other party leaders at the launch include Ngeh, Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan and Pantai Remis states assemblyperson Nga Kor Ming.

According to party officials, Lim and several other party leaders had proceeded to have their breakfast after the launch of the campaign while other party workers continued to distribute leaflets.

On being informed that police had ordered the party workers to stop distributing the leaflets, Lim together with other workers proceeded to distribute the leaflets regardless.

It was at this stage that Lim was arrested. The party workers were however left alone.

Leaflet debunks Mahathir's declaration

The leaflet explains why Mahathir's declaration is wrong and argues that Malaysia is still a secular state. It also states that the party's campaign against Mahathir's declaration is not "anti-Islam or anti-any religion but to promote greater inter-religious understanding".

Lim also said his arrest will not deter him and the party from continuing to highlight the Islamic state issue. The campaign in Ipoh is to continue until the end of this week as earlier planned.

DAP has always maintained its position that Malaysia is not an Islamic state and has even pulled out of Barisan Alternatif (BA) following its disagreement with PAS on the latter's avowed goal of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state.

It is speculated Mahathir aimed at countering the PAS agenda when he pronounced Malaysia an Islamic state last September.