Zahid, who is home minister, said police had identified a list of those involved in the two rallies, which the police contend is illegal.

“The issue of unfairness on the part of the police does not arise since the authorities have taken action against the main leaders of the two groups,” Zahid said while on a visit to his constituency in Bagan Datoh, Perak, according to Bernama. “There is no issue of abuse of power because those arrested do not come from one side. More will be arrested.”

He said the arrest of the leaders of the two competing rallies was “a signal from the police that the law must be respected although the rallies continue”.

Red Shirt group leader Jamal Md Yunus and Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah were among 14 people who were arrested yesterday and early this morning.

The police have said that notices sent by the two groups did not meet the conditions of the Peaceful Assembly Act.