KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — PKR science and health bureau chief and Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye was arrested by police earlier this morning while distributing Bersih flyers at Gunung Rapat market.

Another PKR lawmaker, Simpang Pulai state assemblyman Chan Ming Kai, was also picked up at the same location along with two men wearing and selling the iconic yellow Bersih T-shirts declared illegal by the Home Ministry yesterday.

The four were believed to have been arrested for promoting the Bersih 2.0 rally for free and fair elections, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on July 9.

According to Perak Online, Chan was seen having drinks with his supporters at a stall at around 9am when he decided to put on a Bersih T-shirt. He was arrested 10 minutes later.

The online news portal said over 50 police officers, headed by Ipoh CID chief DSP Glenn Antohany Sinapa, had staked out the market from as early as 8am this morning.

Police also arrested 14 activists — 12 DAP and two PKR members — in Sungai Siput yesterday for wearing Bersih and Ubah T-shirts while distributing Malaysian flags at a market there.

Among those arrested were Jalong assemblyman Leong Mee Meng, Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang, and Dr Lee’s political secretary, Tan Kar Hing.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said yesterday he will use everything in his power to stop the rally, which he claimed was being masterminded by foreign elements.

He said the police will not only arrest those sporting Bersih T-shirts but also anything else that could “incite” the people to join the rally — including “shoes, cars, buses.”