Allegations that the police were too lenient and did not take prompt action during the "Janji Bersih" rally at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 30, to the point that some participants behaved offensively that night, are inaccurate, according to police.

Bukit Aman's assistant head of public relations ACP Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said police had acted swiftly on the incident, but the public were not informed of these behind-the-scene activities.

"The allegations that we acted late are not true because the police had acted quickly, but the public are unaware of this. Police gathered information behind the scenes and some were disseminated through the police's Twitter and Facebook pages, but not everyone knows about it."

Ramli said this when contacted by Bernama on allegations that police were slow to react when a group of rally participants unveiled a new flag and stepped on pictures of the prime minister.

He said as a force responsible for upholding peace in the country, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) would act on matters that threatened public order and security.

'Police aware of sensitive issues'

"The police are aware of sensitive issues that affect public safety, and we even monitored the situation prior to the Merdeka Eve rally at Dataran Merdeka.

"Earlier, the police had advised the organisers not to proceed with the rally, and they also failed to obtain a permit for the rally after discussions with the Dang Wangi police chief, ACP Zainuddin Ahmad."

However, Ramli said, police could not act immediately based on current sentiments as each action must be coordinated according to the law.

According to him, stern action would be taken against the rally organisers for violating several provisions under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011.

Yesterday, PDRM announced the formation of three special teams to investigate participants who revealed a new flag, stepped on pictures of the prime minister and his wife and displayed their buttocks to the public.

The investigations are being carried out under the Sedition Act, Peaceful Assembly Act, and Sections 290, 504 and 509 of the Penal Code.

Reports of an attack on a Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat PKR bus in Kota Baru, Kelantan, early last Saturday, will also be investigated.

- Bernama