(Updated 3:57pm, 24 March 2009)
SUNGAI PETANI, 24 March 2009: Police had to use a water cannon to disperse a 5,000-strong crowd at an unlawful assembly at the Taman Ria Jaya field here last night.
Several people including Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) supporters were arrested to help in the investigation.
PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was supposed to speak at the assembly which began at 8pm but was seen leaving the place in a vehicle when the situation turned chaotic.
The Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) had to fire teargas at the crowed when they repeatedly defied police orders to disperse.
Several people threw stones at the police.
The crowd finally dispersed at 1am after police sprayed water at them.
Kuala Muda OCPD ACP Hashim Ali said police had no choice but to act tough on the group.
“We cannot allow them to assemble unlawfully due to security. Moreover, the ceramah did not have a police permit,” he said.
Sungai Petani is in the Bukit Selambau constituency where a by-election is scheduled for 7 April. Nomination day is 29 March, a day after the Umno general assembly is concluded.
In ALOR SETAR, Kedah police chief Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said police detained 31 individuals, believed to be PKR supporters, for taking part in the unlawful assembly last night.
Syed Ismai said all of them, including two women, were released after their statements were taken this morning.
“They were detained for defying police orders to disperse,” he said when contacted. — Bernama
bee yong says
If more and more PR-elected representatives sacrifice their position, then BN will think hard when they play dirty. PR should also play dirty and apply pressure on BN’s weakness constantly until GE13. For example, since Gobind has been suspended for 1 year, PR or he should take a gamble and resign and thus create a by-election. His wife or siblings could then stand for election (no income loss for family).
BN’s greatest fear/weakness is a by-election; BN fears facing the people. If there is a by-election every 2 months or so, the rakyat are reminded of BN’s dirt and this should continue until the next GE13. Don’t allow them to recoup; pressure them – more pressure they will play more dirty; more dirty, better margin of vote count for PR. Change we can. Change we must.
tengku mohd faizal says
Crime is on the rise, yet police had to waste their time on “Crowd Control”? I really think the police have better things to do than “Crowd Control”. Good to know that Malaysians LOVE street protests and demonstrations, and this resulted in police wasting their time on “Crowd Control”. Way to go Malaysians, next time, any of you in Sg Petani got robbed or murdered, don’t bother to go to the police, they are too busy controlling the crowd.