Police stop anti-ISA event in Ampang, nine arrested

Nov 23, 08 9:52pm | Malaysiakini

The police moved in to disperse a group of people who had gathered at a field in Ampang Jaya for the launch of an anti-ISA campaign and arrested nine people including a parliamentarian.

Among those who were arrested for allegedly failing to disperse was Salahuddin Ayub, PAS member of parliament for Kubang Kerian.

Police light strike force unit started dispersing the crowd – numbering less than 100 – at about 9.26pm just as PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu started to address the crowd.

By about 10pm, the police managed to remove the people from the field, with the assistance of a heavy downpour.

Only a handful of people, armed with umbrellas, remained behind by the edge of the field.

The police meanwhile formed a line to stop people from gaining access to the field. By 10.30pm, the field was totally deserted with the crowd fully dispersed.

In the process, seven protestors were arrested.

Earlier at about 9pm, the police had issued a warning to the crowd to disperse. About 40 Federal Reserve Unit personnel were on standby along with the normal police force.

Mohamad Sabu and PAS Youth chief Salahuddin arrived at the venue at about 9.15pm. Later, Ampang member of parliament Zuraida Kamaruddin was seen to be in negotiation with the police.

Small group at police station

The campaign was organised by the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) and was to be launched by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

According to the organisers, Anwar could not make it to the event.

GMI secretary E Nalini said that among those arrested were three PAS leaders from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Those arrested were taken to the Pandan Indah police station.

A small group of people, led by Mohamad Sabu and GMI chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, gathered there in support of those arrested, monitored by a group of 20 policemen.

However, at the police station, Mohamad Sabu and Salahuddin who had gone into the police station to inquire about those arrested were themselves arrested.

Ampang Jaya police chief ACP Abd Jalil Hassan later told the media that the police had to detain the men as they had refused to disperse.

“We will take their statements before releasing them after an investigation. We had earlier reminded them against holding the illegal assembly but this was ignored,” he said.

Earlier in the evening, the police had erected roadblock along Jalan Pandan as early as 8pm.

In the run-up to the event, apart from the roadblock, several police vehicles were also seen parked in the vicinity.

According to organisers, the heavy downpour had affected the crowd turnout.

The police had previously advised the organisers not to proceed with the event as there was no police permit for the event.

PJ vigil proceeded smoothly

Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre tonight attracted about 100 people and proceeded peacefully and smoothly.

This is the second week the vigil – also held to oppose the ISA – was being held ‘legally’ with a police permit.

Three weeks ago, the police had dispersed the crowd while breaking up the “illegal assembly” and arrested 23 people in the process.

However last week, the organisers were granted a police permit – with 12 conditions – to organise the vigil.

The 23 arrested people are to report back to the PJ police station tomorrow morning.