109 detained in Interlok protest

February 27, 2011

Police arrest a leader of Malaysia's Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) during a protest in Kuala Lumpur. Reuters picKUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 Police confirmed today that a total of 109 people were arrested during todays Hindraf protest against the controversial Interlok textbooks and Umnos racism, including eight leaders, eight women and two journalists.Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Pahlawan Zulkifli Abdullah told a press conference at the KL police contingent headquarters this afternoon that the protesters were arrested for illegal assembly under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act.The eight leaders, believed to be both from the outlawed Hindraf movement, were also being investigated under Section 45 (1) of the Societies Act.Section 45 (1) of the Societies Act stipulates that, Any person who incites, induces or invites another person to become a member of, or to assist in the management of, an unlawful society shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or to a fine not exceeding fifteen thousand ringgit or to both.The two journalists, both from the alternative media, said Zulkifli, were arrested under Section 186 of the Penal Code for allegedly obstructing the police from carrying out their duties.The detainees, he added, were aged between 18 and 66 years, and were picked up from various checkpoints across the city including Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), Maya Hotel, Renaissance Hotel and a Hindu temple in Pudu.We were forced to take action against them because although their permit applications were rejected, as well as their appeal, they still proceeded with their gathering and carried out their march, he told reporters.Hundreds of protesters gathered in separate locations since early this morning in an attempt to carry out the protest to voice out Indian outrage against the controversial Inter lok novel and to condemn Umno racism.The protesters attempts were however thwarted due to heavy police presence at several checkpoints across the city.The group however moved their march to a Hindu temple in Pudu this afternoon and successfully marched some 1 km towards the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters where they faced-off with the police.The group later dispersed at about 1pm.Zulkifli told the press conference this afternoon that the police had the power to detain the protesters for as long as 24 hours for investigation.I cannot confirm yet when we are going to release them. But we can detain them for at least 24 hours, he said.He also thanked the leaders of 13 Indian non-governmental organisations whom he claimed had assisted the police in warning people against taking part in the illegal protest.They have helped us advise the Indian community to stay away from the protest.This is why there were not many protesters. I do not think there were even 500 of them today, he said.Zulkifli also confirmed that there were no major scuffles or injuries recorded during the arrests.But I am greatly disappointed that the group insisted on coming out today despite receiving several warnings from us.We notified them directly and rejected their permit applications and we also issued statements through the media. Still, they insisted on coming out.To us, what is most important is that safety and public order is maintained. We do not want to have anything that creates problems for the people. This is the process of law, he said.