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| Malaysia: Hundreds detained over banned rally | Malaysia: Hundreds detained over banned rally |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Malaysian police have detained more than 440 people as they tried to assemble for a banned protest in the capital Kuala Lumpur. | |
| Opposition activists are trying to gather supporters for a rally calling for electoral reform. | Opposition activists are trying to gather supporters for a rally calling for electoral reform. |
| The police said the rally was illegal and that they would do everything they could to maintain order. | The police said the rally was illegal and that they would do everything they could to maintain order. |
| Major roads were blocked off and public transportation suspended from midnight on Friday (1600 GMT). | Major roads were blocked off and public transportation suspended from midnight on Friday (1600 GMT). |
| Riot police armed with batons and shields fanned out across the city, trucks mounted with water cannon were deployed and police helicopters could be heard overhead. | |
| "The public is reminded not to be involved in any demonstration," a federal police statement said. | "The public is reminded not to be involved in any demonstration," a federal police statement said. |
| "Stern action will be taken against those who disobey." | "Stern action will be taken against those who disobey." |
| A group calling itself the Bersih 2.0 coalition had been planning to hold the rally in a sports stadium on Saturday. | A group calling itself the Bersih 2.0 coalition had been planning to hold the rally in a sports stadium on Saturday. |
| The opposition-backed rally comes amid increased pressure on Prime Minister Najib Razak for electoral reforms ahead of elections expected to be called next year. | |
| Despite the crackdown, thousands of chanting protesters were still trying to reach the stadium from the different parts of the capital, carrying flags and balloons. | |
| Activists said police fired tear gas on at least one group, while tense stand-offs were reported elsewhere. | |
| 'Keep our focus' | |
| Police have questioned more than 150 activists in recent weeks, and 91 have been barred from the city. | Police have questioned more than 150 activists in recent weeks, and 91 have been barred from the city. |
| More than 30 activists remain in detention after being arrested almost two weeks ago. | More than 30 activists remain in detention after being arrested almost two weeks ago. |
| Security has been stepped up in Kuala Lumpur. Riot police with water cannons are warning that anyone seen participating in protests will be arrested. | Security has been stepped up in Kuala Lumpur. Riot police with water cannons are warning that anyone seen participating in protests will be arrested. |
| Many are surprised with this amount of security. Malaysia prides itself on being a peaceful democracy with a Muslim majority, but there are citizens who are pushing for faster reform. | Many are surprised with this amount of security. Malaysia prides itself on being a peaceful democracy with a Muslim majority, but there are citizens who are pushing for faster reform. |
| Analysts say how the police are going to handle the push for reform is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has tried to position himself as a leader of change. | Analysts say how the police are going to handle the push for reform is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has tried to position himself as a leader of change. |
| So far he's not taking any chances. He has dismissed allegations from opposition parties that the electoral system is plagued with fraud. | So far he's not taking any chances. He has dismissed allegations from opposition parties that the electoral system is plagued with fraud. |
| He blames opposition parties for trying to create chaos in order to generate political momentum. | He blames opposition parties for trying to create chaos in order to generate political momentum. |
| The demonstrators initially organised a street rally, but agreed to hold their gathering in a sports stadium after objections from the authorities. | |
| But police said the rally was still illegal, despite its change of venue. | |
| "Merdeka Stadium, which they chose, is too close to the city centre and can create massive traffic jams and disrupt businesses," federal police chief Ismail Omar was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times. | |
| Police have not given a permit for the rally, but the demonstrators have argued that they do not need permission. | Police have not given a permit for the rally, but the demonstrators have argued that they do not need permission. |
| "We are heading for the stadium," a representative of Bersih, Andrew Khoo, told AFP news agency. | "We are heading for the stadium," a representative of Bersih, Andrew Khoo, told AFP news agency. |
| "We will keep our focus on the basic demands... to campaign for free and fair elections. We won't be distracted." | "We will keep our focus on the basic demands... to campaign for free and fair elections. We won't be distracted." |
| Rally organisers say Malaysia's electoral system is plagued with fraud - they want longer campaign periods, automatic voter registration and equality of access to the largely government-linked mainstream media. | Rally organisers say Malaysia's electoral system is plagued with fraud - they want longer campaign periods, automatic voter registration and equality of access to the largely government-linked mainstream media. |
| The authorities say the protesters are trying to promote communist ideology, thereby "waging war against the king". | The authorities say the protesters are trying to promote communist ideology, thereby "waging war against the king". |
| Police have accused several of those they have arrested of carrying flyers and T-shirts with "inflammatory slogans". | Police have accused several of those they have arrested of carrying flyers and T-shirts with "inflammatory slogans". |
| The police launched a crackdown after a similar demonstration in 2007. | The police launched a crackdown after a similar demonstration in 2007. |
| Analysts say that protest helped the opposition win an unprecedented number of seats in the last general election. | Analysts say that protest helped the opposition win an unprecedented number of seats in the last general election. |