Kita Lawan’s week-long sit-in planned at Dataran Merdeka has been foiled by City Hall enforcement officers who have blocked the entrance for a ‘book exhibition’.

When a group of about 40 protesters arrived at the junction nearest to the square today, their forward march was stumped by the City Hall (DBKL) enforcement team.

Over 30 personnel, clad in green uniform, set up two lines plastic barricades to block the entrance to the square, now a site equally famous for tourists as well as protesters.

The protesters eventually decided to kick off their sit-in at the roadside about 20 metres from the Dataran entrance.

Asked why DBKL had blocked access, a personnel merely replied: "There is a book exhibition."

The protesters had walked from Sogo on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman after demonstrating for half an hour in front of the shopping mall.

Chanting "pecat IGP" (sack IGP), "reformasi", "kita lawan", the crowd also held placards, which among others read "IGP Khalid Bodek Umno unprofessional resign" (Unprofessional Umno apple polisher IGP resign).

No storming of the barricades

Their week-long round-the-clock sit-in is to demand the resignation of inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar for the spate of arrests of Kita Lawan rally organisers.

The police has so far arrested 11 key leaders allegedly linked to Kita Lawan.

Pakatan Rakyat has planned to move a motion in Parliament to censure the IGP for arresting Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah over a speech made in the august House.

Among the protesters were PKR's Teja assemblyperson Chang Lih Kang (left) and Semambu assemblyperson Lee Chean Chung.

Chang ( left ) said Kita Lawan had opted not to break through the DBKL blockade.

"We just want to find a public space to express our opinion. Since they have blocked it (Dataran), there is no point for us to go there," said Chang, who is also a committee member of the Kita Lawan secretariat.

Instead, the protesters will stay put and take turns to complete the marathon sit-in.

"If they detain all of us, the next batch (of protesters) will take over to continue the sit-in," he said.

Chang nevertheless slammed DBKL for turning a public square into “private property”. Dataran Merdeka belongs to the “rakyat” (the people), he said. He urged others to participate in the sit-in.

Kita Lawan has erected a tent on the site.

There will be a poster design event tonight and the protesters will also be entertained by a seven-member band, dubbed ‘The BangsArt’.

In addition, a documentary on the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock, titled "Jatuh", will be screened tomorrow night, while Teoh's sister, Lee Lan, and social activist Hishamuddin Rais are billed to speak at the sit-in.