The police tonight arrested more elected representatives - an opposition parliamentarian as well as a state assemblyperson - at a candlelight vigil to 'mourn the death of democracy'.
Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching and Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee, two 20-something DAP female politicians, were arrested along with nine party workers at the vigil in Seputeh at 8.20pm.
The vigil, which was held outside DAP MP Teresa Kok's office, saw the participation of more than a dozen of black T-shirt clad protesters.
According to the organisers, the vigil was to mark the "killing of democracy by the illegal government in Perak."
The protesters had earlier gathered outside an empty space facing the DAP building and carried posters calling for the dissolution of the state assembly.
As they were about to launch a signature campaign when they were surrounded by a large number of police personnel.
'Protest held on private property'
The officer-in-charge subsequently ordered the group to disperse, declaring that it was an illegal assembly.
However, Kok pointed out that the protest was taking place on private property and therefore the police had no jurisdiction over the gathering.
The officer refused to budge and once again ordered the crowd to disperse.
At this juncture, Lee told the protesters to sit on the ground. The police officer then proceeded to count from one to 10, and when the crowd remained unmoved, they were arrested.
Teo had however tried to grab onto a pillar resulting in her being forcefully dragged away by a policewoman.
All those arrested were taken to the Brickfields district police headquarters.
Speaking to reporters later, Kok condemned the arrest and said that a team of DAP lawyers were working to free those nabbed.
Supporters chased away
At about 11pm, members of the Light Strike Force were deployed to disperse some 30 supporters who had gathered outside the Brickfields police station.
The group had earlier refused to disperse after being ordered to do so by district police chief Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Talib.
The supporters regrouped 15 minutes later when DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang, Kok and DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke arrived at the scene.
Among those present was Bersih activist Wong Chin Huat, who himself was arrested last week. The crowd, dressed mostly in black, went on to light candles outside the police station.
Four of the female detainees were later taken to the Travers police station where they are expected to be held overnight.
However, it could not be ascertained if the remaining seven men are still at the Brickfields police station or have been transferred to another location.
The supporters at the Brickfields police station dispersed at about 12.30am and plan to gather outside the Travers police station at the crack of dawn.
'Stop harassing the people'
Earlier, DAP Youth condemned the police's action and called for the immediate release of all those arrested.
"At a time when the people of Malaysia are mourning the accelerated death of democracy in this country fueled by the shameful events in Perak, the police has reinforced the idea that democracy does not exist in this country," said its executive secretary Lim Zhen Hui in a statement.
He added that DAP Youth demands the immediate release of all those arrested and calls on the government to revive the democratic process to save the face of the nation that has been tainted by numerous scandals and instances of human rights abuse.
Also calling for the detainees to be released was human rights group Suaram.
"Suaram condemns the police for their on-going attacks and intimidation on freedom of expression and right to assembly - fundamental rights which are guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.
"We demand the police to release the 11 individuals immediately and unconditionally. We also demand that police stop harassing the Malaysian people from exercising their rights to assembly and stop the assault on freedom of expression," said its coordinator, Wong Chai Yi.
Apart from the two elected reps, among the other detainees whom have been identified are Lam Kah Hon, Alex LC Ling, Koh Weng Ken, Chua Yew Choong, Lim Jen Yow, Tan Hak Lian and Fong Kok Leong.
Watch Video
Malaysiakini
20/05/09
Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching and Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee, two 20-something DAP female politicians, were arrested along with nine party workers at the vigil in Seputeh at 8.20pm.
The vigil, which was held outside DAP MP Teresa Kok's office, saw the participation of more than a dozen of black T-shirt clad protesters.
According to the organisers, the vigil was to mark the "killing of democracy by the illegal government in Perak."
The protesters had earlier gathered outside an empty space facing the DAP building and carried posters calling for the dissolution of the state assembly.
As they were about to launch a signature campaign when they were surrounded by a large number of police personnel.
'Protest held on private property'
The officer-in-charge subsequently ordered the group to disperse, declaring that it was an illegal assembly.
However, Kok pointed out that the protest was taking place on private property and therefore the police had no jurisdiction over the gathering.
The officer refused to budge and once again ordered the crowd to disperse.
At this juncture, Lee told the protesters to sit on the ground. The police officer then proceeded to count from one to 10, and when the crowd remained unmoved, they were arrested.
Teo had however tried to grab onto a pillar resulting in her being forcefully dragged away by a policewoman.
All those arrested were taken to the Brickfields district police headquarters.
Speaking to reporters later, Kok condemned the arrest and said that a team of DAP lawyers were working to free those nabbed.
Supporters chased away
At about 11pm, members of the Light Strike Force were deployed to disperse some 30 supporters who had gathered outside the Brickfields police station.
The group had earlier refused to disperse after being ordered to do so by district police chief Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Talib.
The supporters regrouped 15 minutes later when DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang, Kok and DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke arrived at the scene.
Among those present was Bersih activist Wong Chin Huat, who himself was arrested last week. The crowd, dressed mostly in black, went on to light candles outside the police station.
Four of the female detainees were later taken to the Travers police station where they are expected to be held overnight.
However, it could not be ascertained if the remaining seven men are still at the Brickfields police station or have been transferred to another location.
The supporters at the Brickfields police station dispersed at about 12.30am and plan to gather outside the Travers police station at the crack of dawn.
'Stop harassing the people'
Earlier, DAP Youth condemned the police's action and called for the immediate release of all those arrested.
"At a time when the people of Malaysia are mourning the accelerated death of democracy in this country fueled by the shameful events in Perak, the police has reinforced the idea that democracy does not exist in this country," said its executive secretary Lim Zhen Hui in a statement.
He added that DAP Youth demands the immediate release of all those arrested and calls on the government to revive the democratic process to save the face of the nation that has been tainted by numerous scandals and instances of human rights abuse.
Also calling for the detainees to be released was human rights group Suaram.
"Suaram condemns the police for their on-going attacks and intimidation on freedom of expression and right to assembly - fundamental rights which are guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.
"We demand the police to release the 11 individuals immediately and unconditionally. We also demand that police stop harassing the Malaysian people from exercising their rights to assembly and stop the assault on freedom of expression," said its coordinator, Wong Chai Yi.
Apart from the two elected reps, among the other detainees whom have been identified are Lam Kah Hon, Alex LC Ling, Koh Weng Ken, Chua Yew Choong, Lim Jen Yow, Tan Hak Lian and Fong Kok Leong.
Watch Video
Malaysiakini
20/05/09
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