DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang has accused the police of harassing and intimidating the Bersih movement and their supporters in Sabah recently.

Lim said the arrest of Bersih leader Maria Chin Abdullah for distributing flyers in Kota Marudu, a legitimate and legal act, must be condemned.

"Even worse is the police intimidation of members of the public for taking the Bersih flyers, as the police taking down the identity card numbers of those who take the Bersih flyers and police threats to arrest the members of the public concerned is nothing short of illegal police harassment and abuse of powers.

"It is no crime under the law for anyone to take or receive the Bersih flyers, and the police are doing themselves and public respect for their independence and credibility no service by acting completely outside the province of the law in harassing or intimidating members of the public for taking or receiving the Bersih flyers," said Lim in a statement today.

Lim, a veteran lawmaker and Gelang Patah MP, said such actions by the police would affect public goodwill.

"All responsible political parties and members of the public want to be friends of the police, for the police are performing an important national service and function to uphold the law to maintain order, peace and harmony.

"But the police will forfeit public respect for the police, who will cease to be friends of the people, if the police themselves break the law by indiscriminately and illegally abusing police powers as in case of the Bersih 5 publicity event yesterday," said Lim.

In view of this, Lim urged inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to reprimand the police personnel who were involved in the incident.

According to Kota Marudu police chief Supt Mohd Izaan Abdullah, Maria was being investigated under Section 11 of the Printing Machines and Publications Act 1984.

Maria denied any wrongdoing, pointing out that the flyers that were being distributed clearly named the printer and publisher, therefore complied with the law.

Several Kuala Lumpur-based Bersih figures are in Sabah now to promote the Bersih 5 rally slated for Nov 19.

The Bersih 5 rally seeks Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation over the 1MDB controversy and electoral reforms.