Human rights NGOs Suaram and Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) both issued stern warnings to the police today, reminding the force to serve the rakyat and not to plot violence against the people.

LFL said it was "outraged" by the biased stand of the police force, who used "a sinister and undemocratic tactic to change a peaceful assembly into a riot, thus allowing the police to harass the organisers and cause fear to the public".

"We wish to remind the police that it is not their place to protect the political interests of the BN but to uphold the constitution and the law, to ensure citizens are able to exercise their basic rights and to protect them from harm," LFL co-founder Eric Paulsen said.

"We call upon the police and the mainstream media to stop disseminating false information and creating unnecessary alarm. "

Paulsen said he could also fathom why Turun did not invoke the Peaceful Assembly Act  (PAA) 2012 and seek a permit for tonight’s gathering at Dataran Merdeka.

'Authorities make it impossible to comply'

"There have been numerous instances where organisers have attempted to adhere to the PAA, but the authorities have made it virtually impossible to comply, thus forcing the organiers to proceed nonetheless," he said.

In a separate statement, Suaram warned the police against making the Turun rally against price hikes a "bloody New Year" for the people.

Bringing out the past, Suaram reminded the police not to repeat their documented misconduct and excessive use of force, as had taken place during the Bersih 3.0 rally in April last year.

Suaram also noted that the police had a "common tactic" of spreading fear among people wishing to join a peaceful demonstration.

"Suaram urges the police to discharge their duties in line with the provisions of the Federal Constitution and international human rights standards.

"Hopefully, today will not be marked as another day where the country loses its dignity and pride by hitting hard on citizens voicing their grouses democratically and peacefully," Suaram coordinator R. Thevarajan said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya student leader Muhammad Kamarul Setapa reiterated a call for all the people to come down to Dataran Merdeka tonight for the protest against price hikes and he stressed that this was no move to overthrow the government.

"Once again I'd like to stress that the assembly is not to overthrow the government but to manifest the people's anger towards the crazy price hikes of essential goods on the excuse of fostering the economy," Muhammad Kamarul said in a statement.

He said he was disappointed with the government's response to the price hike issue, which seemed to mock the sufferings of the people.