Jamal, seven other men held over smashing of beer bottles

The police arrested Red Movement NGO Coalition Malaysia chairman Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos and seven other men early today in connection with the smashing of beer bottles in front of the Selangor State Secretariat builiding here yesterday.

They were detained at about 1.45 am in Sekinchan, Sabak Bernam, Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief SAC Fadzil Ahmat said in a statement.

He said they were arrested for unlawful assembly and smashing about 100 bottles of liquor at the main entrance of the building.

"Following the incident, a security guard lodged a complaint with the Shah Alam district police headquarters.

"... an investigation will be conducted under Section 143 of the Penal Code for engaging in illegal and harmful activity and disrupting the peace," he said.

He said the police would apply for an order at the Shah Alam Court here today to remand those detained.

At about 10 am yesterday, Jamal and the coalition members brought 10 cartons containing 100 bottles of beer to the building to protest against attempts to hold a beer festival in Selangor.

Jamal then used a large hammer to smash the beer bottles at the main entrance of the building.

He is reported to have resorted to that action after Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali reportedly said that the German food and beverage festival scheduled to take place at a supermarket in Klang next week could only be approved if the organisers fulfilled the terms and conditions, including those outlined by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).

Last Monday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said police were firm in their decision to disallow the event after having received information of a possible sabotage by militants and had advised MPK to deny the permit.

MPK president Datuk Mohamad Yasid Bidin said he had not given the permit as the organisers had failed to comply with the stipulated terms and conditions, including obtaining prior approval from the police.

-- BERNAMA