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Police break up Malaysia protest rally

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian security forces “used water cannon” to disperse protesters, who assembled in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night in defiance of the ban on street demonstrations, according to an organiser of the aborted rally.

The protest, against the continuing use of the country’s tough Internal Security Act, was called by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (Group for the Abolition of ISA). The act empowers the Internal Security Minister to detain people for prolonged periods without charges and trial.

The protesters, numbering a few hundred, made their way to the venue of the proposed rally shortly after holding a candle-light vigil to focus public attention on the same issue.

As they approached the barricaded site, the security officials “negotiated” with the protesters and gave them about half an hour to disperse.

The reason cited was that an “illegal assembly” could not be allowed.

At this point, a number of protesters dispersed “peacefully.” However, many others stayed on at the site, and some of them were arrested, even as the gathering was dispersed by the “use of water cannon.” Those arrested were later released, the organiser said.

AP reports:

It was the latest in a series of protests that has rocked the Malaysian government as it prepares for early general elections, which the Election Commission chairman said were “around the corner” The Star newspaper reported on Sunday.

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