FORMER Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday criticised the authorities for using water cannon and teargas against ethnic Indians protesting against alleged discrimination.
Saturday's rally was the latest in a series of street demonstrations that have rocked this multicultural nation as political parties manoeuvre to win the hearts and minds of voters ahead of general elections on March 8.
More than 300 people defied a police ban, gathering in downtown Kuala Lumpur to present roses to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and protest against alleged discrimination before police fired tear gas and water cannon to break up the rally.
'This is clearly a police state,' Dr Anwar told AFP.
'I mean a group marching peacefully to present flowers to the prime minister, what kind of treatment did the government give to these people?' he asked.
'It was very high-handed,' said the de facto opposition leader.
Police detained 200 people in scuffles during the rally and later outside a Hindu temple nearby, the capital's police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman told the official Bernama news agency.
Most have since been released but lawyers claimed a female protestor - one of nine who are being held till Monday - was abused in custody.
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While being detained, she said she was beaten up by the police,' lawyer Gobind Singh, who is representing the nine, told AFP.
'Although she was in pain, she did not receive any medical treatment,' he added.
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These are not hardened criminals, they are normal people and should not have to face such violence at the hands of the police while in detention,' said Mr Singh, who is contesting as an opposition candidate in the upcoming polls.
Mr Abdullah has condemned the protests, saying it was an attempt to disrupt the elections, Bernama reported.
'People who disrupt the elections do not respect the democratic process,' he told Bernama. 'When there is disorder, the people do not come out to vote for fear of getting caught in fights,' he added.
The protest comes after the detention of five leaders of the Indian rights group Hindraf who enraged the government in November by leading a rally protesting at alleged discrimination against Indians.
The protest highlighted the grievances of Malaysia's Indians - descendants of labourers brought over by British colonial rulers in the 1800s - who say they are marginalised in terms of education, wealth and opportunities.
Mr Abdullah has said that street protests and anger within the Indian community could have an impact on how the government fares in the general elections.
Mr Abdullah is head of the United Malays National Organisation-led multi-ethnic coalition that has ruled Malaysia since independence from Britain in 1957.
Although his party is expected to win the March election, analysts say a slew of issues including rising prices, corruption and religious as well as racial tensions could cut the government's majority in parliament. -- AFP
Malaysia Today
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