In light of the recent spate of arrests involving organisers of the Pakatan Rakyat-organised ‘Kita Lawan’ rallies, a campaign was launched today calling for the dismissal of Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar.

PKR Teja assemblyman and ‘Kita Lawan’ co-organiser Chang Lih Kang said that a week-long, 24 hour sit-in protest will take place at Dataran Merdeka from March 21 until March 28.

“Our country will not be free as long as the unprofessional IGP remains in his position.

“The head of the country's police force should take full responsibility for the actions of the police who have violated the rights of the people,” Chang said during a press conference at Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today ( above ).

He said under the leadership of the Khalid, police have been used as a tool to “suppress the voices of the opposition,” pointing out that since the first rally om March 7, police have arrested 10 activists and opposition leaders.

“Taking action against participants of a peaceful rally is a violation of human rights as the right to hold a peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as in our very own Federal Constitution,” he said.

'IGP has sullied police name'

He also said that this was most probably not the fault of the arresting officers as their orders came from Khalid himself.

“We know that those who join the police force do so because they want to keep the country safe. The IGP's actions have sullied the name and dignity of the police force,” he added.

Flanked by other ‘Kita Lawan’ co-organisers such as Syukri Razab of Suaram and PAS Youth Treasurer Mohd Fakhrul Razi, Chang said police are clearly practicing “double standards” by only arresting dissenting voices.

The sit-in protest will begin this Saturday at Dataran after the weekly weekend ‘Kita Lawan’ rally at the Sogo shopping mall.

Chang urged the public to join them in their protest, saying more numbers would help make a larger impact.

He said many activities were planned for during the sit-in, including movie screenings at night and youth activities during the day.