Police arrested six persons for unlawful assembly at the launch of the DAP's 'Restore local government elections' campaign held at the Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

They included DAP Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, state assemblyperson for Sitiawan Ngeh Koo Ham, state leaders Teh Hock Ke and Ning San, party researcher Liew Chin Tong and member Liew Wan Hong.

They were taken to the Dang Wangi police station for their statements to be recorded and released at 3.10pm on police bail, after being held for four hours. They were ordered to report back to the police station on March 21.

The arrests were made in the middle of a press conference held by party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, after efforts failed in persuading the police to allow the launch to proceed.

Party leaders Tan Kok Wai, Fong Po Kuan, Loke Siew Fook and Ronnie Liu were among 70 people present for the launch.

The campaign is being organised to commemorate the 40th year since direct elections for local authorities, such as municipality councils, were banned in 1965.

Verbal agreement

According to Liu, party leaders had informed Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Ahmad Baharin about plans for the 30-minute launch, and had received the nod - although a police permit was not issued. The programme was to have included speeches and the release of balloons.

"Since there was a verbal agreement, we went ahead with the programme... the police may have changed their mind today," Liu told malaysiakini when contacted later.

Liu, the party's international secretary, claimed that more than 200 police personnel, included federal reserve unit members, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall officials were called to the scene.

He also alleged there was a procedural defect in the arrests of the six, as the police did not issue the prerequisite three warnings of disperse before taking action.

"The arrests were made immediately after the first warning was issued. There is no respect for the rule of law since the police did not follow the procedure," he said.

In a leaflet distributed during the launch, the DAP urged the public to join hands to push for "the third vote" by restoring local government elections.

It said local councils have consistently failed to deliver the most basic services and amenities, resulting in such problems as widespread flooding, traffic jams and the rise in dengue cases.

"We are taxpayers and therefore have a right to decide who represents us and how our tax money is spent," the party added.

Suaram disappointed

Meanwhile, human rights organisation Suaram said it was "appalled and disappointed" by the police action.

It said that the police need not have acted in such a high handed manner as the DAP gathering as harmless and peaceful.

"The participants were merely exercising their rights to assemble peacefully... using excessive force to disperse and arrest members of a peaceful assembly, the police had made a mockery of democracy and justice," said Suaram coordinator Chang Lih Kang in a statement.

"We firmly reassert that the peaceful assemblies do not disrupt peace and stability. Rather, it is a basic right of every citizen in a democracy country, to freely participate in any assembly which are peaceful. We call upon the Government to respect these fundamental rights," he added.