KOTA KINABALU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Bersih 4 rally in Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah ended its overnight protest at Likas Bay Park at 11.50am on Sunday.

The organisers agreed with the police to end the planned 6km walk into the city to lodge a protest to Kota Kinabalu City Hall for failing to grant the group permission to use the park for the rally.

The end of the democracy walk was declared after the police did not allow the group to go further into city centre.

Organisers gave a final speech before 12pm, before asking participants to disperse.

"It's a victory… we have succeeded in highlighting our demands," Sabah Bersih coordinator Jannie Lasimbang said as the group dispersed.

The police had no choice but to close several roads heading into Tanjung Lipat on the second day of Bersih 4 in Kota Kinabalu, said the city's police chief Asst Comm M. Chandra.

Mr Chandra said the decision to close the roads was made after finding out that the organisers wanted to continue their democracy walk into Lintasan Deasoka near the city hall.

"The organisers have been told not to enter the city as it would disrupt public order especially on a Sunday when the weekly Sunday market at the Gaya Street is held," he said.

"However, we had to close down several roads starting from 6.30am until 1.30pm when the organisers decided to go ahead with their walk into Lintasan Deasoka," added Mr Chandra.

Mr Chandra said that the Light Strike Force had set up barricades to prevent the protesters from walking into the city square.

He said the protesters did not breach the barricades and the crowd dispersed peacefully at about noon on Sunday.

Mr Chandra apologised for any inconvenience caused during the road closures and stressed that it was to maintain public order and peace.

He added that the police would also be calling in several individuals to facilitate investigations under the Peaceful Assembly Act.