The government should immediately suspend the 67 police officers involved in a Sunday raid that arrested scores of Indian nationals pending the outcome of investigations, said DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang today.

He said the party welcomed Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's intervention amid a "worsening crisis and diplomatic row" between Malaysia and India.

Abdullah yesterday said he had directed Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai to personally investigate allegations of harassment by 270 Indian nationals, mostly IT professionals, who were detained o­n suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

Lim said Abdullah's statement was the "first, correct, proper and responsible reaction" regarding the incident thus far.