Authorities held about 60 people in various towns, some of them detained while distributing political leaflets Saturday, according to human rights group Suaram. Many were released after several hours of questioning, while the others were expected to be freed soon.

The arrests came as Prime Minister Najib Razak and National Police Chief Ismail Omar called on Malaysians over the weekend to shun an opposition-backed rally scheduled for July 9, saying it could spark chaos in Kuala Lumpur.