The People's Manifesto Initiative lodged a police report today against Barisan Nasional's advertisements in the mass media.

Spokesperson Charles Santiago said the group demanded that the BN cease using the threat of violence and mob rule in their election campaign.

According to Santiago, the previous government had vigorously protested against the foreign media for repeatedly broadcasting scenes of people demonstrating in the streets of Kuala Lumpur, thus undermining investors' confidence in the country.

However, the very same BN leaders and local newspapers are using such images in advertisements to influence the voters now, he said.

"Such contradictory actions, implying 'anarchy and chaos' question the ethics and freedom of the local mainstream press," said Santiago. "The messages they send out are not rational and the personal attacks against Opposition leaders are distasteful and out of context, portraying Malaysians as unappreciative of any political change."

Santiago said the motivation for the police report was to let the public, and BN, know that the group is monitoring the situation, and that the people are angry.

The People's Manifesto organising committee have further demanded that the Election Commission rule immediately on whether the fear-generating advertisements commisioned by the BN have breached the Elections Offences Act.

"We also call upon the Inspector General of Police to investigate whether the BN has breached the Sedition Act, and whether newspaper publishers have violated the Printing Presses and Publications Act."

On the police report lodged on Friday by a group of 18 individuals against caretaker Prime Minister and BN chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad for repeatedly suggesting that riots would break out during the election campaign, Santiago said the police have responded positively.

"In response to that police report, the police have said that they have set up a special committee to look into taking action against Mahathir's provocative statements," he said.