29 individuals detained during protest in Kuala Lumpur
A protestor known as 'Auntie Bersih' arrested by police for taking part in a demostration outside the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur today. - Astro AWANI/SHAHIR OMAR
The #TangkapNajib street demonstration organised by a group of youngsters who called themselves "Demi Malaysia" in front of a shopping centre here on Saturday ended with the arrest of 29 individuals including six women.
The rally urging Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak to resign which started at 2pm failed to garner support although it had earlier expected a participation of more than 500 people.
Several police trucks were seen around the KL Sogo area before the start of the demonstration.
Several police trucks are seen around the KL Sogo area for the impending demonstration.
Demonstrasi Tangkap Najib
Several police trucks are seen around the KL Sogo area for the impending demonstration. - Astro AWANI / MARIAH AHMAD
The situation turned chaotic 50 minutes later when police began to arrest the protesters for ignoring police warnings to disperse.This was believed to have taken place following the explosion of firecrackers at the shopping complex compound.
PHOTO: #TangkapNajib rally ends with arrests
Among those arrested were PKR's Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang and Simpang Pulai assemblyman Tan Kar Hing and student activist, Fahmi Zainol.
Demonstrasi Tangkap Najib
"I don't know the reason why I was detained," said Fahmi Zainol (two from right) when he was detained during #TangkapNajib rally on Saturday. - Astro AWANI / MARIAH AHMAD
The trio, however, claimed that they did not know the reason for the arrest.“Yes, we were arrested but we were not told the reason. We don’t know where we are heading to,” sad Tan before taken into black maria.
Before the arrest, Tan and Cheng were seen discussing with the police. They were asked to disperse from the shopping complex.
“We were confused when the police asked us to leave, as we have yet to gather,” said Chang.
TangkapNajib rally
A demonstrator continues to protest as he is being arrested by the police in front of the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur today.- Astro AWANI/SHAHIR OMAR
At 2.45pm police had managed to disperse the participants and control the situation at the area.The shopping complex and several shop lots, which were temporarily closed due to the rally reopened at 3.30 pm.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Tajudin Md Isa said all the individuals arrested were between the age of 14 and 69.
"They are being investigated under Section 143 of the Penal Code for unlawful assembly which is liable for imprisonment of up to six months or fine or both upon conviction.
"Investigations are also carried out under Section 124 of the Penal Code, for activities detrimental to the country's parliamentary democracy and could be jailed up to 20 years," he said in a media statement today.
He said the detainees would be brought to the court for a remand order to assist police investigation.
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