Nobody is immune from arrest and prosecution if they are suspected of breaking the law, said Cheras Umno chief Syed Ali Alhabshee.

As such, he argued that Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah is not "untouchable" by the long arm of the law.

Syed Ali criticised those who felt compelled to organise candlelight vigils asking for her release, as if she is "untouchable", and those on social media who insist she is innocent.

These groups, he claimed, were attempting to portray Maria as a hero and cover-up her alleged misdeeds.

"She is neither heroic, nor a hero who people should fuss over. If she dares to do it, she must face the consequences. Malaysia has laws and we do not need foreign pressure or intervention," he added.

Syed Ali urged all to see Maria's arrest in a rational way, without being tinted by the political interest of certain quarters, as police have adequate proof to hold Maria, and would do their job professionally to protect national interests.

"Why is her arrest being made much of, and politicised to portray the government as a cruel regime and the police are said to the tools of those in power?" he asked.

He said the negative perception was surely not warranted as it was not fair that just because of one person, the entire judicial and enforcement systems are said to have collapsed.

Maria was arrested on Nov 18, the eve of Bersih 5, following a police raid on the electoral reform movement’s office in Petaling Jaya.

Maria is being held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2016, which the police claim was based on the documents seized.

Bersih is being investigated under Section 124C of the Penal Code for funds it received from the Open Society Foundations, which is linked to billionaire George Soros.

Section 124C is related to attempts to carry out activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

Bersih has denied claims of wanting to topple the government through street protests and the opposition has described Maria’s arrest as politically-motivated.

Yesterday, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar denied the arrest was political.