If an opposition member had tried to do the same thing as Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos, the police would have been a lot quicker to clamp down on them, said DAP.

"Why are the police treating Jamal, who is continuing to undermine racial peace and social harmony, with kid gloves when they could be Twitter -quick to deal with opposition and NGO personalities even on non-existing offences?" asked DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang in a statement today.

He was referring to red shirt protesters warning of another rally at Petaling Street tomorrow.

Lim said the police would have "come down hard and fast" if they were dealing with opposition or NGO leaders, with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi "roaring into action".

However when it comes to Jamal, he noted, the police only delivers “empty talk” without taking any action.

"Why is Ahmad Zahid as tame as a mouse in this case?" he asked.

Previously, Ahmad Zahid had been very vocal against the Bersih 4 rally for clean elections, even banning yellow T-shirts carrying the word 'Bersih' the day before the rally on August 29 and 30.

Police double standards

Situations like these are what cause the people to lose their faith in the police and question their double standards, said Lim.

He also said it will also damage Malaysia's image as a safe destination for foreign investors and tourists.

"If there is any closure of business in Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, it would be proof of the failure of the police and home ministry to be the custodian of peace, law and order in the country," Lim said.

On Wednesday, Jamal warned that a riot may erupt at Petaling Street on Saturday if the authorities fail to act against the alleged counterfeit goods and foreign traders there.

"If the authorities don't act by Friday, I am 99 percent certain on Saturday, there would be a rally and a riot may happen," he said.

The police had then said that they would be calling Jamal in for questioning soon.

"If Jamal had indeed expressed threatening words, if we find him culpable for inciting a riot, we will take action. We will call him in very soon," deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim was quoted as saying.