Pro-reform marchers defy warning and rally in Malaysia

UP TO 20,000 Malaysians defied official warnings by marching for electoral reforms yesterday, as police fired tear gas and detained more than 1,600 in Malaysia's biggest political rally in four years.

The crackdown on the opposition-backed demonstration in main city, Kuala Lumpur, triggered criticism that premier Najib Razak's long-ruling coalition was unwilling to allow dissent or make election laws fairer ahead of polls widely expected by mid-2012.

Najib's administration declared the rally illegal and warned people repeatedly over the past month to avoid it. Officials insisted it was simply an opposition ploy to spark chaos and stir anti-government sentiment, while activists accused authorities of being afraid protest could undermine them.

Security forces blocked roads, shut rail stations and deployed water cannons near the Independence Stadium in downtown Kuala Lumpur where activists tried to gather. More than 200 had been arrested over the past two weeks for promoting the rally.

The large number of demonstrators who showed up despite the threat of arrests and the disruptions of transport links seemed to support claims by activists that the government had misjudged public opinion by not allowing what they insisted would have been a peaceful rally.

The crackdown "stirred a sense of outrage against the exhibition of raw power by our government," said Ambiga Sreenavasan, head of the Bersih coalition of civic groups that organized the rally.

"What is the necessity for a show of might against right? No matter what, right will always prevail," she said.

In a statement police said that they detained 1,667 people yesterday in a clampdown called "Operation Erase Bersih." Bersih is a campaign name for a group of opposition politicians and agencies committed to reform. Those arrested included several senior opposition officials. Some were released later, with police indicating that most would not be held overnight.

Thousands tried to reach the stadium from various parts of Kuala Lumpur, chanting "Long live the people" and carrying yellow balloons and flowers as they marched.

Police fired numerous rounds of tear gas and chemical-laced water in repeated attempts to disperse the crowds, causing demonstrators to scatter into nearby buildings and alleys before they regrouped. Police helicopters flew overhead as a brief downpour failed to deter the protesters.

Witnesses said riot police armed with batons charged protesters and dragged them into trucks.

Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's top opposition figure, was being treated in hospital for a "minor injury" he received when his group was hit by tear gas. The Malaysiakini news website said he had a knee injury.