The police should not be too quick to resort to the Sedition Act to threaten and create fear among the people, an opposition leader said today.

PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali said in a press statement today that the police have to be more open to views and criticisms from responsible members of the society.

"Otherwise, the people will lose their confidence and respect for the police force. Further, it can create an environment that will not encourage people to cooperate or have a dialogue with the police," he said.

He added that the Barisan Alternatif leaders had expressed desire to meet with the Home Affairs Minister to discuss issues connected to the security of the country, through a joint media statement read to the media on Tuesday, in the wake of the violence outbreak at Petaling Selatan.

"We firmly believe that one of the ways to overcome any problem is through dialogue and not through threats and fear tactics," Syed Husin said.

Report lodged

Selangor Police Chief Nik Ismail Nik Yusof had described the BA media statement as seditious as it said that the death toll figure from the Petaling Jaya clashes which began on March 9 could be higher than the official figure of six as said by police.

The statement was jointly signed by Syed Husin, PAS secretary-general Nasaruddin Mat Isa, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock at PRM's office at Jalan Masjid 3/69, Petaling Jaya on March 13.

The statement 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."

According to Nik Ismail, the police lodged a report against the BA leaders on Wednesday and classified it under Section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948.

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

More transparent

Meanwhile, Kerk when contacted today, told malaysiakini that he has not been called up by the police on the matter so far.

Nevertheless, he added, that as a joint signatory of the press statement, he was prepared to be investigated.

"I am however, surprised that the report was lodged under the Sedition Act. To imply that we were trying to spread enmity among the various races is ridiculous.

"In fact, we have acted responsibly in the matter. We have visited the sites, helped the victims and tried to calm down the situation. All we are asking for is the police to be more transparent as rumours are bound to occur in this country," Kerk said.