Hindraf rally: Mass arrests trigger fear of wider clampdown on political foes

Written by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Malaysian police locked down the Kuala Lumpur City Centre area ahead of a planned demonstration by Indian rights activists. Not only has the head of Human Rights party P Uthayakumar been arrested but Hindraf protesters gathering at various destinations around town have also been detained without any reasons given.

The exact number is not known yet but it is believed that more than 100 arrests have been made.

There is now fear that Prime Minister Najib Razak might seize on the mass arrests to trigger a crack down on his political foes and critics. He is widely expected to call for snap general elections by July this year and faces a sliding credibility problem.

"Hishammuddin should order an immediate halt to the crackdown. DAP deplores the police action," DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said on Twitter.

It is telling that Najib had just days ago advised Libya's Gaddafi to listen to his people and not resort to violence. All eyes are now whether he and his Umno party will set the police loose on dissenters. The Malaysian police has been condemned for brutality and its record number of custodial deaths.

"I condemn this attack by the police and the Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on what are eassentially the people's rights to peaceful assembly. This government behaves just like the Libyan government," PKR vice president N Surendran told Malaysia Chronicle.

"It is too soon to tell if this heralds an Ops Lalang-type of crackdown, although at the moment, it looks like a very harsh and unlawful response to a gathering of people."

Roadblocks

Meanwhile, police roadblocks were set up as early as 5.30 am along Jalan Ampang, Jalan Kepong, Jalan Cheras, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Duta–Sungai Buloh Highway, among others.

The Hindraf march was supposed to have begun at the KLCC, but plans were changed due to the large presence of police personnel. The march then began from the Renaissance Hotel, which is located about one kilometre away from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

An estimated 200 uniformed and plainclothed police officers - including four trucks with Light Strike Force personnel - have been stationed on Jalan Ampang between Avenue K and the Petronas Twin Towers.

Around 9.15 am, nearly 100 Hiindraf and HRP supporters marched from the Renaissance towards KLCC. They shouted 'Makkal Sakthi' and other slogans but were stopped and detained in front of Maya Hotel, a short distance away.