KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 — City police have detained a man suspected to be behind a planned protest in the national capital on New Year’s Eve, The Star Online reported today.
The man, a 24-year-old from Terenganu, was reported to have been picked up for questioning by the police at a restaurant in the Kampung Baru Malay enclave last night while having his supper.
“We are investigating him under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act and Section 124B of the Penal Code for activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
“We expect to make more arrests soon ahead of the planned gathering in Dataran Merdeka on December 31,” Assistant Commissioner Khairi Ahrasa, was quoted telling a news conference here.
The city deputy criminal investigations chief added that police is seeking a remand order for the man.
Malaysia had introduced laws that allow for peaceful street demonstrations — which were previously deemed illegal without a police permit — in 2011, however, the rules and conditions are tightly enforced, especially those organised by groups seen to be sympathetic to the opposition.
Two street demonstrations have been planned to take place in front of the heart of Dataran Merdeka here on December 31, a popular site for Malaysians to count down to the start of the new year.
The first rally, named “Turun”, was called by a coalition of student activists protesting a series of price hikes over good and services, including public transport fares, toll rates, and electricity tariffs.
The protestors planned to meet at the Sogo shopping mall in downtown Kuala Lumpur before marching to Dataran Merdeka.
The other rally, “Himpunan Guling Kerajaan” (gathering to topple the government), was a call made by an unidentified group.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had previously issued a warning that Bukit Aman viewed such protests as a national threat and would crack down on the those who participate in rallies.
