The police should not evoke unnecessary fear in the opposition parties and the media by invoking the Sedition Act for questioning police statistics and actions, an opposition leader said today.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia information chief Hassan Karim said that police should not arbitrarily charge citizens for sedition simply because police statistics concerning the number of deaths due to clashes around Kampung Medan, Old Klang Road, in Petaling Jaya since last Thursday were questioned.

He urged the police to use the Sedition Act with caution and implored them to consider criticisms against the police force as constructive for nation building.

"Is the police institution so invincible that the action of its personnel cannot be reproached, examined, criticised or questioned?" queried Hassan, in a press statement to malaysiakini .

"If certain quarters, such as the opposition or media have made statements, the police shouldn't be reactive and prejudiced and jump to the conclusion that these groups have intent to create tension," he added.

To date, police said that six have died, more than 40 injured and 224 arrested in the clashes which began on March 9.

Hospital officials told reporters today that the total number of victims still warded at the hospital numbered 24.

Hassan said that the police have to accept the fact that they have to be more honest and open as the public was anxious to know the truth about the clashes.

He added that if the police felt that they were right and the opposition were wrong, the best approach would be to engage in a dialogue and clear the air between the two parties.

Joint statement seditious

Meanwhile, national news agency Bernama reported today that Selangor Police Chief Nik Ismail Nik Yusuf has described the media statement by the opposition coalition on the clashes last week as seditious in nature to spread enmity among the various races.

According to a press statement issued by ASP R Ratnakumar at the Shah Alam District Police headquarters here, he had lodged a police report at the Petaling Jaya police station yesterday on the matter.

The statement said that the police report was made pertaining to the joint media statement by PAS secretary-general Nasaruddin Mat Isa, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock and PRM president Dr Syed Husin Syed Ali at PRM's office at Jalan Masjid 3/69, Petaling Jaya on March 13.

According to Nik Ismail, the police have classified the report under Section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948 and would call on everyone involved to assist in the investigation.

Sedition is punishable by up to three years' imprisonment. Four opposition members have been charged under the Act in the past 15 months.

Barisan Alternatif, in their statement on Monday, said "Based on reliable family and hospital sources, we fear that the actual number of deaths is greater than the official figure announced by the police."

Nik Ismail yesterday said he has lodged a police report against malaysiakini and two opposition parties for claiming that the death toll of the clashes in Petaling Selatan area was higher than the figure given by the police.

He told a news conference that malaysiakini , PAS and Keadilan "must prove their claim".