The National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today urged police to shelve plans to arrest Bersih 4 participants, who wore T-shirts which were banned the day before last weekend’s rally.

Banning the yellow Bersih 4 T-shirts was a move to criminalise peaceful protesters and deter participation in a peaceful assembly, Suhakam chairperson Hasmy Agam said in a statement.

He said the professional conduct of police in facilitating the peaceful assembly on Aug 29 and 30, as reported by Suhakam monitors on that day, is commendable.

"This in the Commission’s view is testament that such assemblies can be held without untoward incidents if there is proper planning and cooperation among all parties concerned," he said.

As such, making arrests now "will only mar the positive image that has been created in the country and around the world following the peaceful conduct of the assembly," he said.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned of post-rally action against participants of the Bersih 4 rally because "the yellow T-shirts are banned".

Police today called up seven members of Bersih’s steering committee and secretariat.