A possible mistake of releasing mugshots of the same individual four times in the wanted list of 141 Bersih protesters was uncovered by netizens, bringing blushes to the police.

This, after the force had come under heavy criticism for the harsh crackdown on the Bersih April 28 rally.

NONE The protester who is believed to be a PAS Unit Amal member, sports a chubby face, was found appearing four times in the batch of photos issued by the police on May 9.

The photos were labelled number 7, 15, 18 and 21.

The first Facebook user who spotted the similarity is believed to be Mohd Nor Amin Zainuddin.

He posted a comment in Kuala Lumpur police Facebook at 2.59pm on the same day the photos were uploaded, saying that "the pictures no 7, 15, 18 and 21 are of the same individual."

Fun time for netizens

Soon after, some Facebook users took turns to poke fun at the photos, with Atie Hazie writing that "The no 15 (picture) is not yet hot... no 18 (picture) has inflated because burning..."

The pictures later went viral on Facebook and some netizens have taken this turn of events as proof of police "unprofessionalism".

NONE The officer in charge of the wanted list at the Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department ASP Azmi Aziz appeared to be ignorant of what had happened when contacted by Malaysiakini reporter, only saying that "I will look into it".

However, PAS Unit Amal chief Juhari Osman ( left ) said the episode is proof that the police are going on a "fishing expedition" with the authorities having no concrete evidence to prove the protesters' guilt.

He accused the police of waging "psychological warfare", using the photos to intimidate them into feeling that they had committed some offence or other.

PAS contemplating legal action

"We have gotten advice from our lawyers - when the protesters surrender themselves, they should not be deemed as guilty. The police only can record their statement, but not arrest them."

NONE He also wondered why many Unit Amal members were included in the wanted list.

Juhari said he will consult with party lawyers on further action over the issue.

Since May 3, the police have released several batches of photographs purportedly depicting individuals involved in wrongdoing during the Bersih rally, totalling 141.

The police have given those on the list a one-week ultimatum to come forward and assist in their investigation, or they will go to the homes of the wanted individuals.