KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 — At least two Perak opposition lawmakers were allegedly roughed up during a brief scuffle with the authorities last night when policemen tried to break up the #KitaLawan sit-in at Dataran Merdeka.

According to a statement by event organisers sent shortly after midnight, at least six individuals, including Perak PKR lawmakers Chang Lih Kang and Tan Kar Hing, were arrested during the clash.

“The #KitaLawan sit-in venue was raided by the police and DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) at around 12.15am.

“It is believed six were arrested, including Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang and Simpang Pulai assemblyman Tan Kari Hing, at Dataran Merdeka.

“There were assaulted, and beaten before they were dragged into police cars,” the organisers said in the statement.

They alleged that the plainclothes policemen on duty had also behaved violently, throwing punches at those who were trying to calm the situation.

Earlier last night, DBKL officers reportedly arrived at the historic square to request that the sit-in participants clear out of the area by midnight.

But the event organisers reportedly refused, insisting that they had the right to occupy the venue for their peaceful protest, which is a precursor to this Saturday’s mass rally.

Following the late night altercation, the organisers said police and DBKL officers again arrived before dawn and removed a banner for its #PecatIGP campaign.

Following the late night altercation, the organisers said police and DBKL officers again arrived before dawn and removed a banner for its #PecatIGP campaign. — Picture from #KitaLawan facebook page

In the run-up to the Saturday event, the #KitaLawan movement has planned a series of sit-ins and other events on a number of issues, including a campaign to seek Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s release from prison and the #PecatIGP move for the sacking of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the organisers also vowed that their Saturday rally will go on despite the recent slew of arrests, and said no notice as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) will be given to the police.

Jingga 13 Chief and PKR member Fariz Musa, who was arrested over a previous rally, insisted that police approval was not necessary and the event will take place regardless of authorities’ views.

Since Anwar’s sodomy conviction last month, Khalid and his police force have engaged in an apparent crackdown on dissent by lawyers, politicians and social activist movements.

Police have arrested at least 11 people over previous #KitaLawan rallies.