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Malaysia: Hundreds detained over banned rally Malaysia: Police fire tear gas at banned rally
(about 6 hours later)
Malaysian police have detained more than 440 people as they tried to assemble for a banned protest in the capital Kuala Lumpur. Police in Malaysia have used tear gas and water cannons against thousands of people assembling for a banned protest in the capital Kuala Lumpur.
Opposition activists are trying to gather supporters for a rally calling for electoral reform. Police say they arrested about 1,400 people before the rally was broken up.
The police said the rally was illegal and that they would do everything they could to maintain order. Opposition activists called the protest to urge the government to implement electoral reform.
Major roads were blocked off and public transportation suspended from midnight on Friday (1600 GMT). The police threw up a cordon around central Kuala Lumpur from midnight on Friday, blocking major roads and suspending public transport.
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. Riot police armed with batons confronted the thousands of people who had slipped through the security net, dispersing them with volleys of tear gas.
"The public is reminded not to be involved in any demonstration," a federal police statement said. Crowds around the city's main bus station were also hosed down by water cannons.
"Stern action will be taken against those who disobey." Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was one of a small number of people who were injured. He was taken to hospital after he fell to the pavement after a tear gas attack.
A group calling itself the Bersih 2.0 coalition had been planning to hold the rally in a sports stadium on Saturday. Protest leaders arrested
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. A group calling itself the Bersih 2.0 coalition had been planning to hold the rally in a sports stadium but the government of Prime Minister Najib Razak said the location was unsuitable and instead suggested a venue outside of the capital.
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. The confrontations between police and protesters come as a shock to many here who say Malaysia is a stable democracy.
Activists said police fired tear gas on at least one group, while tense stand-offs were reported elsewhere. The police had warned that anyone participating in this illegal march would be arrested to prevent chaos.
'Keep our focus' This demonstration started as a call for free and fair elections. But now analysts say it's a test of this country's fragile democracy.
Police have questioned more than 150 activists in recent weeks, and 91 have been barred from the city. Prime Minister Najib Razak has dismissed opposition allegations that the electoral system is plagued with fraud.
More than 30 activists remain in detention after being arrested almost two weeks ago. He blames opposition parties for trying to create chaos to generate political momentum.
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.
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.
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."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. Instead, with roads closed and some public transport suspended, most shops shut on Saturday and the city remained empty apart from police and protesters.
"We are heading for the stadium," a representative of Bersih, Andrew Khoo, told AFP news agency. Several leaders of Bersih, including Ambiga Sreenivasan and Maria Chin Abdullah, were among the 1,401 people that police said were arrested.
"We will keep our focus on the basic demands... to campaign for free and fair elections. We won't be distracted." Most were expected to be quickly released.
Organisers of the rally said 50,000 people had come out, but analysts put the number at closer to 10,000.
The demonstration came amid a police crackdown on opposition figures.
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.
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". Street protests are rare in Malaysia, but 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.