KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The #TangkapNajib rally in the city has turned somewhat chaotic as the police have reportedly arrested over 20 protesters for their involvement in the event, which was earlier declared illegal by the authorities.
The event, which was scheduled to kick off from 2pm, first drew a small crowd of about 50 protesters to the event venue outside the Sogo shopping centre.
After an attempt to negotiate with the police over their right to assemble peacefully in public, the police arrested two Perak PKR leaders — Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang and Simpang Pulai assemblyman Tan Kar Hing.
The duo were seen being led away into a police truck.
Their arrests, however, sparked a commotion.
One man, who was heard yelling “Undur Najib” repeatedly was then tackled to the ground and arrested by the police.
Another man who started shouting the same thing was similarly arrested.
Two explosions were heard during the scuffle, but Malay Mail Online could not verify their source.
“Police were targeting those wearing white and shouting slogans. Didn’t know these were arrestable offences,” civil rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) wrote in an update on its Twitter page.
“About 20 people arrested, will be brought to IPK KL (Kuala Lumpur police headquarters). Police now clearing areas surrounding Sogo,” it tweeted at about 2.45pm.
Shops in the vicinity began pulling down their shutters at about 2.45pm as police chased one protester down Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and she attempted to seek shelter in one nearby outlet.
By 2.50pm, all the shops in the area were closed, including Sogo, just as the momentum for the rally died down after close to 30 people were arrested, most of whom were individuals who led chants like “undur Najib” (Najib step down), “tangkap Najib” (arrest Najib) and “hidup rakyat” (long live the people).
The rally saw heavy police presence throughout, with two full busloads or close to 100 police officers seen on site and in the surrounding area.
According to DAP MP Charles Santiago’s aide Jay Jay Denis, 28 protesters held at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK KL) have been denied access to their legal counsel.
“Now, at the police station, police have recorded all our names and are holding the ICs.
“We have about seven lawyers outside. They have not been allowed in. Some have been warned that if they try to get in, they will be arrested,” he said in a text message to Malay Mail Online while being detained at IPK KL.
He added he was stepped on and his shirt was ripped while he was being arrested, adding that the police were unnecessarily “brutal”.
“Police were very brutal when initiating the arrests. Unnecessary force used. They ripped my shirt apart and stepped on me along with another person. Some have got marks on their face,” he said.
Also arrested were student activists Fahmi Zainol and Muhammad Safwan Anang.
“I thought we were a democratic country? As a student, is it wrong for me to come to Sogo?”
“They’re telling me that I’m arrested under 124 (b),” Fahmi said before being carted away by the police.
It is believed that Fahmi was referring to Section 124 (b) of the Penal Code with covers the activity that is deemed to be detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
Anyone charged under this section, can be charged with imprisonment for up to 20 years.
This comes after activists Adam Adli Abd Halim and Syukri Rezab, who are organisers of the #TangkapNajib protest, were arrested at the Dang Wangi police station after a meeting there with police.
