[Onthebarricades] MALAYSIA: Police attack opposition rally, sparking clashes

[Andy]

Malaysia is a rather despotic state which though formally democratic, has 
been ruled mainly by the same party since independence.  Opposition parties 
have started holding discussion meetings called ceramahs as part of an 
attempt to open up the political climate, but the police have taken to 
interfering with these meetings.  Basically the police seem to have 
instigated clashes at a public meeting in order to create a pretext for 
suppressing such gatherings.  In this incident, police repression caused a 
backlash including property damage, clashes with police and burning of the 
national flag.  Some reports suggest undercover police may have instigated 
some of the incidents, specifically the flag-burning, which has been used by 
the regime to attack the opposition.  Also, two protesters were injured by 
gunshots from a police officer; and dozens have been rounded up in a 
crackdown after the event, including two preachers who risk losing their 
jobs.

Notice the irrationalist police demand that protesters obey the law right or 
wrong, or else there will be "anarchy"...

Notice also the differences in coverage between sources - pro-regime 
Malaysian papers concentrate on the damage caused, critical Malaysian and 
foreign sources tend to blame the regime and police and discuss implications 
for democracy.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6258956.html

7 injured in Malaysia's riot
September 10, 2007

Seven people were injured, two with gunshot wounds, when opposition 
supporters clashed with police trying to disperse an illegal political 
gathering in Kuala Terengganu, capital city of northern Terengganu state in 
Malaysia on Saturday night, local media reported on Monday.

The riot was sparked when police ordered the crowd of 500 people gathering 
to disperse peacefully at 10 p.m.

Despite 5 verbal warnings, the crowd became aggressive and verbally abused 
the Federal Reserve Unit personnel.

Soon they became even more aggressive and started hurling stones, homemade 
bombs and Molotov cocktails at police.

Police retaliated with tear gas and water cannons and in the melee, shots 
were fired injuring 2 opposition supporters, aged 21 and 38.

The 2 have been hospitalized. One is in serious condition with a neck injury 
at the Kubang Kerian Hospital in Kelantan, northern state of Malaysia.

Four policemen were also injured. One was warded at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah 
hospital, Kuala Terengganu.

By 12.35 a.m, 23 people were detained and the situation was brought under 
control.

Police have obtained a remand order against 4 men believed to be members of 
opposition parties to facilitate police investigations into the clash. One 
of the remanded men is being investigated for having dangerous arms during 
the riot while 2 others are being investigated under the Explosive and 
Dangerous Weapons Act.

Police later released 19 men on police bail.

Several police wagon and public vehicles were damaged in the clash. Kuala 
Terengganu Municipal Council's decorative lights, flower pots, motorcycles, 
Umno (United Malays National Organisation) flags and Barisan National 
banners were also damaged. Damage was estimated at about 1 million ringgit 
(285,714 U.S. dollars).

State police chief Ayub Yaakob said 20 rioters attacked a policeman at a car 
park.

"One of the injured policemen had no choice but to fire at 2 of his 
attackers," The Star quoted Ayub as saying.

The Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) was summoned to the speech after the 
organizers who invited Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR, means the People's 
Justice Party) secretary-general Khalid Ibrahim to speak at the gathering 
failed to turn up to discuss the issue of obtaining a permit, Ayub said.

It was learnt that the venue was not suitable for a speech as it was a 
tourist area and the road leading to the venue was often congested while top 
government officials also stay there.

Police had suggested to the organizer to hold the speech at another venue 
but no one turned up to discuss the matter.

Source: Xinhua

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSKLR7932020070909

Malaysia police fire on opposition rioters
Sun Sep 9, 2007 8:05am EDT
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police fired live rounds to quell a riot 
in Malaysia's Muslim heartland, wounding two men, after trying to break up 
an opposition rally with water cannon and tear gas, local media said on 
Sunday.
Local police declined to comment to Reuters on the riot, which broke out 
late on Saturday night in the northeastern state of Terengganu after a group 
of opposition parties, including the main Islamist party, held an illegal 
rally, the reports said.
State news agency Bernama quoted Terengganu's police chief, Ayub Yaakob, as 
saying that a policemen had fired two shots from a pistol, injuring one man 
in the shoulder and another in the neck, after he was set upon during the 
riot.
An eyewitness told Reuters by phone the crowd of about 500 had attacked 
police with stones after they set up road blocks around the rally and then 
moved in to break it up. The two groups fought each other until the early 
hours of Sunday.
In Malaysia, opposition parties must get police approval to stage rallies.
"It was police who attacked the civilians," said Kamarudin Jaffar, a leader 
of Islamist party Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), saying the rally had been 
staged by PAS, other parties and non-government bodies to call for free and 
fair elections.
"It was a peaceful rally... Police set up all the road blocks around the 
area with water cannons. Then suddenly in the middle of the night they 
started using water cannons on people."
Malaysia's prime minister is widely expected to call for an early general 
election late this year or early next year.
State news agency Bernama said on Sunday that 23 people had been detained 
and that seven, including four policemen, were injured. Bernama said the 
protesters had also hurled pieces of metal and wood and a molotov cocktail 
at police.

The riot is another sign of rising social tensions in Malaysia as the nation 
moves into election mode.
The country is governed by a multi-racial coalition which is dominated by 
Muslim ethnic Malays and includes parties aligned with large minorities of 
ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indians.
Many Malay Muslims feel the coalition gives too much ground to the other 
races, while many ethnic Chinese and Indians feel the government 
discriminates against them through a decades-old affirmative-action agenda 
aimed at helping Malays.
Opposition parties are split along racial lines but are united in 
complaining that the electoral system is rigged against them and that the 
mainstream media pay them little attention.

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSKLR122742

INTERVIEW-Muslim leader likens Malaysia to police state
Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:00am EDT
By Jalil Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Reuters) - An Islamic opposition leader has likened 
Malaysia to a police state and said a bloody riot this month was a symptom 
of outrage over eroding democratic rights.

On Sept. 8, police opened fire to disperse rioters at a rally demanding 
electoral reform in the northeastern state of Terengganu, wounding two 
members of the opposition Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS)

The rally, hosted by a coalition of five opposition political parties and 26 
civil society groups, was the largest in a series of such events this year 
to demand free and fair elections.

"The tragedy has smeared Malaysia's democractic process," PAS President Hadi 
Awang told Reuters in an interview. "Malaysia is now lagging behind 
Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines in terms of democracy and freedom."

"We can't hold rallies. The police use intimidation and threats against our 
supporters. The people are not free, as if we are still under the emergency 
rule," said Hadi, a burly and bearded Muslim cleric who studied at Egypt's 
Al-Azhar University.

"Even the Election Commission is taking sides. This will undermine efforts 
to create a clean and transparent democracy," said Hadi, a father of 14 from 
his two marriages.

MORE CLASHES FEARED

The 60-year-old said his party would not boycott the country's next general 
election, widely expected by early next year, but would continue to press 
for electoral reforms including tackling "phantom" voters.

The riot has raised fears of more clashes ahead of the polls as the 
opposition fights curbs on rallies. Malaysian law requires a police permit 
to hold an assembly of more three people.

Malaysia's opposition parties are split along racial lines, but are united 
in complaining the electoral system is rigged against them and struggle to 
get their message across to the voters.

PAS, a major opposition force in Malaysia's northeast until it fared 
miserably in the 2004 general election, wants to turn the multi-religious 
country into an Islamic state.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called the riot a desperate attempt 
by the opposition to gain political mileage and discredit his 14-party 
ruling coalition.

During the riot, the national flag was burned, an act the mainstream media 
has seized on to accuse opposition members of being unpatriotic.

Hadi, whose party ruled Terengganu state between 1999 and 2004, said he was 
confident PAS would return to power there and retain the neighbouring 
Kelantan state in the next polls.

"The riot will lead to the people's uprising and anger. It will have a very 
positive impact on PAS in the coming polls due to growing voters' sympathy."

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=284415

September 11, 2007 15:49 PM

Motion To Debate Terengganu Riot Rejected
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat today rejected a motion 
to debate the riot in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday night in which seven 
people, including four policemen, were injured.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib dismissed the motion on the 
ground that although the issue was of public interest, it was not urgent.

"What happened was the police were quelling a riot," he said.

When tabling the motion, Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) said the 
Internal Security Ministry should explain why live bullets had been used 
against unarmed civilians.

"There are question marks over police integrity in this episode as it 
appeared that there was a `trigger-happy' attitude vis-a-vis civilians 
without giving a second thought to people's lives and public safety," he 
said.

Salahuddin claimed that such an incident would not have happened if police 
issued permits to those wishing to organise peaceful gatherings.

The riot was sparked when police instructed the crowd of hundreds at an 
illegal political gathering at Jalan Sultan Mahmud, close to Batu Burok in 
the Terengganu capital, to disperse.

-- BERNAMA

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/11/nation/20070911174129&sec=nation

Siblings of warded rioters lodge police reports
KUALA TERENGGANU: The siblings of two hospitalised men who were 
inadvertently shot during a riot on Saturday night, have lodged separate 
police reports, here.
The reports were made on Monday, one at 4.15pm and another at 6.35pm, at the 
district police headquarters.
State Deputy CID chief Supt Khairi Ahrasa said the two rioters were 
recuperating at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah and Universiti Sains Malaysia 
hospital in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
He said the two reports would be probed, adding that police were also in the 
midst of completing their investigation papers on the riot before submitting 
them to Deputy Public Prosecutor.
One of the injured rioters is reportedly being investigated under Section 
307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
The riot took place when police tried to disperse an illegal gathering of 
more than 500 at a political gathering organised by Bersih, a coalition of 
60 non-governmental organisations pushing for electoral reform.
The gathering was supported by opposition parties PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat 
and DAP. Seven people were injured in the melee and 23 arrested, of which 19 
were later released.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/17/nation/20070917172155&sec=nation

37 more sought over Batu Burok riots
KUALA TERENGGANU: Police are looking for 37 more people who were at the 
scene of the Batu Burok riot on Sept 8.and have released pictures of them.
State Deputy CID chief Supt Khairi Ahrasa said the individuals should come 
forward to assist in the investigations.
"We have details of all 37 but we are giving them a grace period to 
voluntarily come forward to record statements or else we will be knocking on 
their doors," he said here, Monday.
Supt Khairi said probe into the riot was almost complete, adding that 
investigations were being continued under Section 27(5) of the Police Act to 
fully conclude the issue.
He also asked eight individuals whose pictures appeared in the media 
recently, to immediately contact the police headquarters.
"We believe that the issue of burning Jalur Gemilang could a be solved when 
the eight have been interrogated.
Supt Khairi said so far only one of those sought to help in the police probe 
has surrendered.
He said d the 16-years-old student who gave himself up on Sunday after his 
picture appeared in the media, has been released on police bail, Monday.
He said police recorded the statement of the student of a religious school 
here and granted a police bail after found that his involvement in the riot 
was minimal.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/13/nation/20070913172209&sec=nation

Nation
Thursday September 13, 2007
Imam identified in Saturday's riot, faces action
By R.S.N. MURALI
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Imam of a mosque has landed himself in trouble for 
participating in Saturday night's riot at Batu Burok here.
The Imam, who is in his late 40s, was caught on police's video and was said 
to have acted violently during the melee.
His name was released by the police on Thursday.
State Islam Hadhari Development and Welfare committee chairman Datuk Rosol 
Wahid said the Imam could face disciplinary charges and subsequently risk 
being fired for his involvement in the riot.
"We will not tolerate this ... he should be the one setting a good example, 
this is sheer hypocrisy," he said.
Meanwhile, State police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ayub Yaakob said police 
are in the midst of gathering statements from 22 of the rioters.
A report of its probe will be submitted to Deputy Public Prosecutor.
He said the probe on the riot would be carried out transparently without any 
prejudice.
"If my men were at fault then they would have to face the consequences," 
said SAC Ayub, who earlier briefed civil servants at Wisma Darul Iman here 
on what actually transpired on that day.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/12/nation/18860486&sec=nation

Police reports lodged over shooting during riot
KUALA TERENGGANU: Family members of two men who were inadvertently shot 
during a riot on Saturday night have lodged police reports over the 
incident.
The reports were made at 4.15pm and 6.35pm at district police headquarters 
here on Monday.
State Deputy CID chief Supt Khairi Ahrasa said the reports were made by the 
siblings of the men who were recuperating at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah 
and Universiti Sains Malaysia hospital in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
He said police would start investigations into the two reports while probes 
into the riot were being conducted.
One of the injured men is being investigated for attempted murder under the 
Penal Code, he said.
The riot started when police tried to disperse an illegal gathering of more 
than 500 people at a gathering organised by Bersih, a coalition of 60 
non-governmental organisations pushing for electoral reform.
The gathering was supported by opposition parties PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat 
and DAP.
Seven people were injured and 23 arrested, of whom 19 were later released.
PAS said it would hand a memorandum to Bukit Aman alleging police brutality 
and the use of live bullets during the riot.
PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said the party lodged a complaint 
with the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) on Monday.
"We plan to take this all the way up to the United Nations Human Right 
Commission," he said after the launch of the PAS For All campaign at its 
office in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.
He said the party did not believe that the man photographed wearing a helmet 
and burning the national flag was a PAS member.
He said PAS would be holding another ceramah at 9.30pm on Sept 14 in Rusila, 
Terengganu.
Asked if they had a police permit for the gathering, he said: "We do not 
need one because it is within our own vicinity (compound)."

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/13/nation/20070913154341&sec=nation

Nik Aziz expresses regret over riot
KOTA BARU: Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has expressed regret 
over the rioting in Terengganu on Saturday which resulted in two PAS members 
being inadvertently shot.
Speaking after visiting one of them, Suwandi Abdul Ghani at Hospital 
Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), he said the incident should not have 
occurred especially during the 50th Merdeka celebrations.
Suwandi underwent an operation to remove a slug embedded in his right lung.
"The nation is celebrating a sense of independence or freedom from the 
tyranny of colonialism when this incident surfaces," Nik Aziz said.
He added that people should be given the opportunity to attend such 
gatherings as many were eager to know about the state of affairs in the 
country.
The riot was sparked when police tried to disperse an illegal gathering of 
more than 500 people, which was organised by Bersih, a coalition of 60 
non-governmental organisations pushing for electoral reform.
It was supported by opposition parties PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP.

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=286291&cat=et

September 21, 2007 19:45 PM

Another Imam Likely To Be Sacked Over Rioting
KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- An imam from a village in Marang may 
be sacked for his alleged involvement in the Sept 8 rioting in Jalan Sultan 
Mahmud, Batu Buruk here.

Terengganu Welfare and Islam Hadhari Development Committee chairman Datuk 
Rosol Wahid said it had video and pictorial proof of the man's involvement 
in the incident.

The State Religious Affairs Department was withholding his allowances 
pending investigation of the case, he told reporters here today.

"And it seems that he's being boycotted by his congregation," he said.

The state government has sacked the imam of Kampung Kebun Air in Manir for 
taking part in the rioting in which seven people, including four policemen, 
were injured.

The riot was sparked off when police tried to disperse an illegal gathering 
of more that 700 people, believed to be opposition supporters.

Rosol also said that a Universiti Darul Iman Malaysia student might have 
been involved in the incident.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39301

POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Calls for Electoral Reforms Met With Violence
By Baradan Kuppusamy

KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 18 (IPS) - Political tension is rising in Malaysia as the 
demand by a coalition of opposition political parties and some 26 civil 
society groups for a clean and fair election is increasingly being met with 
violence by the ruling, 13-party National Front coalition.

Earlier this month police fired tear gas and shot at protestors, injuring 
two opposition supporters in the chest, while breaking up a massive 
opposition rally in Terengganu state where opposition and government are 
equally matched in strength.

The Sep.8 rally, organised by BERSIH, acronym for a coalition of five 
opposition political parties and 26 civil society NGOs, was the biggest one 
organised so far to press the demand for free and fair elections.

BERSIH (the word means clean in the Malay language) has been touring the 
country mobilising and winning public support ahead of a general election 
that is widely expected to be called in November, when police began using 
excessive force adding a new and violent dimension to electoral politics in 
the country. "The use of such hard force and firing weapons, injuring 
opposition supporters, is unprecedented in recent history," said 
parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang.

Police said the assembly had no permit and was therefore illegal, but 
opposition leaders insist on their right to peaceful assembly to demand 
change.

During the melee the national flag was burned, an act the mainstream 
electronic media has taken advantage of by repeating the scene over and over 
again, accusing opposition members of being unpatriotic -- a serious 
accusation in a year when the country is celebrating 50 years as an 
independent nation.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi himself accused the opposition parties of 
starting a riot in order to blame the government and discrediting his 
13-party National Front coalition government.

For their part, opposition leaders have charged that cleverly disguised 
"agent provocateurs" had burnt the flag and put the blame on them.

"The incident strongly suggests that police harassment has reached new 
heights against gatherings deemed unfavorable to the government," Anwar said 
in an interview with Malaysiakini, an independent online news agency this 
week. "This is cause for grave concern," he said.

Whatever the case, tension is mounting as opposition political parties and 
civil society groups go on a road show demanding major changes in the way 
the country has conducted 11 general elections since independence in 1957.

The campaign for electoral reforms is a major effort by the long suffering 
opposition political parties and civil society leaders to level the playing 
field to ensure free, fair and clean election.

Among the changes they want is abolition of the 'first-past-the post' 
polling system inherited from the departing British colonial authorities 
that allows the winner with a simple majority to dominate parliament.

Opposition political parties often poll 40 to 50 percent of the national 
vote but end up with a paltry number of seats in parliament as is the case 
now. (The opposition together controls only 18 of the 219 seats in 
parliament although they polled over 40 percent of the national vote in the 
2004 general elections)

"This is an outdated system that shuts out minorities, women and indigenous 
people...their voice is drowned out by majoritarian rule," said Lim. "It 
does not reflect the national vote that opposition won in the elections."

"With the outdated system the government virtually gives itself a huge 
majority every election," he told IPS. "We have elections but not 
representative rule nor democratic practices.it is a camouflage," he said. 
"It is time major changes are made to the election system to make it truly 
representative."

Other BERSIH demands include an end to gerrymandering of electoral 
constituencies that takes place once every 10 years and to make the Election 
Commission an independent authority and end its subservience to the ruling 
coalition.

Critics also want the government to allow in domestic and international 
observers and the removal of the discretionary powers of the Registrar of 
Societies to deny registration for new political parties.

(An example is the Socialist party of Malaysia which has been denied 
registration for over a decade on grounds that it poses a threat to national 
security.)

"We also want the high cash deposits for candidates to be reduced," said Lim 
Guan Eng, secretary general of the Democratic Action Party or DAP, the 
largest opposition party in parliament. "It is ridiculous to impose high 
cash barriers for contesting and still claim we are a democracy. Such 
methods block off poor people from seeking elected office, leaving the rich 
to dominate parliament."

The fees just to contest a parliamentary constituency is Malaysian Ringgit 
8,000 (2,293 US dollars).

Another demand is to end the extremely short eight-day campaign period --  
arguably the shortest of any democracy in the world. "Such a short eight-day 
campaign period is ridiculously inadequate to convince voters to back the 
opposition," said Sivarasah Rasiah, human rights lawyer and vice-president 
of the National Peoples Party of de-facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"On the other hand the ruling coalition has all the advantages. It keeps the 
polls date secret but prepares heavily in the meantime and then springs a 
surprise by suddenly dissolving parliament," Rasiah told IPS. ''During the 
short, eight-day campaign period it (ruling coalition) unleashes the 
government machinery and mainstream media on us. This is unethical and a 
serious violation of democratic principles.''

"Worst the blitz is paid for by public resources that should rightly be also 
made available to us in equal measures," Rasiah said. "While we are hounded, 
refused permits and shot at they are free to assemble and preach directly 
and over the government controlled mainstream media. It all makes for a sham 
election and democracy.''

These are however only some of the more 'benign' demands BERSIH is making to 
ensure a level playing field level for all stakeholders.

Worst of all, some election expert say, is that the electoral roll itself is 
faulty with the commission failing to remove dead voters and clean up, what 
opposition party leader's claim are, thousands of 'phantom voters'.

"There is a need to completely revise and overhaul the electoral roll 
because it is heavily compromised," said Yap Swee Seng, executive director 
of SUARAM, leading human rights NGO and BERSIH member. "We need a roll that 
is clean, transparent and one that inspires confidence. Until then elections 
are just a sham."

As the pressure mounts the commission suddenly conceded to one of BERSIH's 
many demands -- use of indelible ink to prevent multiple voting.

Opposition political parties and NGOs under the BERSIH umbrella have upped 
the ante by announcing a mammoth rally in October to press their case for 
reforms setting the stage for a major tussle with the ruling National Front 
coalition.

(END/2007)

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/20070922082018/Article/index_html

2007/09/22
Suhakam completes probe into Batu Buruk riot

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has 
completed its fact-finding mission into the Sept 8 rioting incident in Kuala 
Terengganu.

Suhakam commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said its results would be 
handed to Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman.

"A decision will be made on Oct 8 whether a public inquiry should be held."

Siva Subramaniam, who led the five-man team on the visit, said they had 
"made a few discoveries".

"If there is something that can be learnt from the Kuala Terengganu 
incident, we hope everyone, no matter which side, will refrain from using 
students to further their political agenda. Students should be in schools," 
he said.
He, however, declined to elaborate on his statement, saying that the case 
was still being investigated by police.

Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, steering committee member of the Coalition 
for Free and Fair Election, organiser of the ceramah, denied the involvement 
of any students at the gathering.

"Even if there were students, they were probably from the sekolah pondok 
(religious schools) or passers-by. I don't think there were that many of 
them there," Syed Azman said.

Some 50 people were interviewed in the course of the two-day Suhakam 
investigation.

Among them were 30 opposition members, including gunshot victim Suwandi 
Abdul Ghani.

Another 20 police and Federal Reserve Unit officers were also interviewed, 
including the police constable who discharged his firearm. Also interviewed 
was Terengganu police chief Senior Assistant Commissioner I Ayub Yaakob.

Suhakam, however, did not meet the second gunshot victim, Muhamad Azman 
Aziz.

The riot broke out on Sept 8 at 10.15pm in Kuala Terengganu after police 
attempted to disperse a crowd of 600 who turned up for a ceramah.

The riot, which lasted till after 1am, saw at least four policemen and three 
rioters injured and some RM1 million in damages.

In Kuala Terengganu, a 50-year-old welder turned himself in to the police 
yesterday.

He was the eighth person wanted in connection with the Sept 8 riot in Batu 
Buruk to be detained by police.

The man, from Kampung Durian Burung here, surrendered at the district police 
headquarters at 10.15am.

Meanwhile, the two people who turned themselves in on Thursday were released 
on police bail the same day.

The duo, aged 22 and 25, hailed from Kampung Kolam in Kuala Ibai.

They were among 46 people wanted by police to assist investigations into the 
riot.

State CID deputy chief Supt Khairi Ahrasa urged those who had their 
photographs published in the newspapers to come forward to help close this 
case.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/10/asia/AS-GEN-Malaysia-Rioting.php

Malaysia's opposition demands probe into police shooting of two protesters 
at rally

The Associated Press
Published: September 10, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Opposition leaders demanded a full inquiry Monday 
into Malaysia's worst political violence in years, accusing authorities of 
planning a confrontation that led police to shoot and wound two 
anti-government protesters.
Police said they were forced to fire tear gas and chemical-laced water late 
Saturday to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters who allegedly hurled 
rocks and homemade explosives at security officers after being ordered to 
abandon an illegal assembly in northeastern Terengganu state.
However, on Monday opposition and human rights activists gave a conflicting 
account of the incident. They insisted that plainclothes policemen 
instigated the violence, and fired bullets into the crowd that gathered for 
an outdoor forum on electoral fairness.
"This is the first time that the police used live bullets against people at 
a peaceful rally," Mustafa Ali, the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party's 
chief in Terengganu, said at a news conference.
"There must be a thorough investigation by an independent body, because we 
believe what happened was planned and premeditated by the government and the 
police," Mustafa said. "They will find any avenue to stop our message from 
reaching the masses."
Government authorities say the police acted to preserve law and order.
"The government did not give any instruction to the police," Deputy Prime 
Minister Najib Razak said Sunday. "Anyone ... must obtain a permit from the 
police to hold any event. ... Disregard for the law can lead to anarchy."
Terengganu Police Chief Ayub Yaakob said over the weekend that authorities 
had ordered the crowd to disperse because the event organizers had failed to 
secure a police permit required by law for such public gatherings.
Ayub said a policeman fired in self-defense against demonstrators who beat 
him with a stick. One Islamic party member was shot in the chest while 
another suffered a neck injury. Both are in a stable condition at separate 
hospitals.
Four police officers and a third opposition supporter were also injured. 
Police detained 23 people for rioting and other offenses, but most of them 
have been freed on police bail, which means they could be charged later.
Opposition and human rights groups involved in Saturday's forum vowed not to 
let the matter rest, saying they would continue with similar rallies and 
were planning to sue the police and debate the issue in Parliament.
"What happened was a bad sign for democracy," said Khalid Ibrahim, an 
official of the People's Justice Party. He said it was important for 
opposition leaders to address the public ahead of general elections that are 
widely expected before mid-2008.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=52648

'Plainclothes cop caused it' claim
12 September, 2007
Kuala Lumpur: Opposition leaders called for an investigation into the 
shooting of two protesters at a political rally.
Police, who also used tear gas and water cannon when a riot broke out at the 
rally in Terengganu on Saturday defended the action by a plainclothes 
officer who they said acted in self-defence.
Two members of the fundamentalist Pan-Malaysia Islamic (PAS) were injured in 
the incident, with a 37-year-old man wounded in the lungs and a 21-year-old 
in the neck, but both are now in stable condition, the party said.
Terengganu PAS head, Mustapha Ali, called on Umno to hold a royal commission 
into the shooting.
"People recognised that the policeman in plain clothes was trying to 
instigate the violence. So they tried to catch him," he told a press 
conference.
"It has been planned. And it happened due to provocation. I call on the 
government to investigate the matter."
"What frightened me most was the use of bullets to disperse the crowd who 
came to attend a peaceful gathering," said Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Sec-Gen of 
the fellow opposition Keadilan.
Mustapha claimed the Government was attempting to sideline PAS, which lost 
control of Terengganu to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's 
ruling Umno in the 2004 elections.
"We are optimistic of regaining Terengganu so they are trying to stop our 
influence. They do not want our message to get across," he said.
Terengganu police chief Ayub Yaakob said that both the police officer and 
the 37-year-old victim were under investigation for attempted murder.
"Both sides are being investigated. We want to know what really happened," 
he told AFP, insisting however that the officer had not intended to wound 
anyone.
"He was with the protestors when they turned on him. They started beating 
him. He fell down and in self-defence drew his gun and fired a warning shot 
into the air," he said.
"Unfortunately, two people were shot. I want it to be clear that we did not 
use a gun to disperse the crowd."

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=284945&cat=et

September 13, 2007 18:39 PM

No Permit, No 'Ceramah', Say Police
KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Terengganu police will no longer 
compromise with political parties holding "ceramah" (talks) without a permit 
to prevent untoward incidents, like the riots in Batu Buruk and Jalan Sultan 
Mahmud on Saturday.

State police chief Datuk Ayob Yaakob said the police had been lenient all 
this while by not taking action against the opposition parties for holding 
their ceramah in various parts of the state despite them not having the 
permit to do so.

"There is ceramah every night and not all are issued permits, but we have 
been tolerant. This will stop because from now on, all ceramah must have a 
permit," he told reporters after briefing government officers at Wisma Darul 
Iman here today, on the riots.

Among those present were State Secretary Datuk Mokhtar Nong, and state 
executive councillors and elected representatives.

Ayob said police had rejected an application for a permit from the 
organisers of Saturday's gathering because the venue was inappropriate since 
it was in an area where there were government quarters and was also near the 
palace.

In that incident in Jalan Sultan Mahmud, more than 600 people, believed to 
be supporters of the opposition parties, rioted after police ordered them to 
disperse from the illegal gathering.

Four policemen were injured in the ensuing clashes, during which the Jalur 
Gemilang was set ablaze.

Two people were also admitted to the hospital due to gunshot wounds. One of 
them, a 21-year-old man, who was admitted to Sultanah Nurzahirah Hospital 
for injuries on the neck, was discharged today.

The other man, aged 38, who was injured on the chest, is still at the 
Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

It is learnt that police today recorded statements from a Kuala Terengganu 
PAS leader on the riot.

Ayob said police were trying to identify the person who burned the national 
flag during the riot, adding that police had obtained pictures of the 
incident.

He denied allegations by the opposition that it was a policeman who had set 
fire to the Jalur Gemilang.

Following the incident, police detained 22 people, who have all been 
released on police bail.

-- BERNAMA

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/news/article_1353745.php/Gun_shots_fired_as_Malaysian_cops_clash_with_opposition_supporters

Asia-Pacific News
Gun shots fired as Malaysian cops clash with opposition supporters
Sep 10, 2007, 2:48 GMT
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian police fired tear gas, chemically-laced water 
cannons and fired gun shots to disperse a gathering of hundreds of 
opposition supporters at an illegal rally, news reports said Monday.
Members of the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), along with several 
other supporters of opposition parties, had gathered late Sunday at an 
outdoor location in the north-eastern state of Terengganu for a public 
forum.
However, police arrived at the scene and tried to break up the crowd of some 
500 people, saying that the gathering was illegal as it did not have a 
permit for public gathering.
The presence of the police and riot cops resulted in some of the opposition 
supporters hurling stones and Molotov cocktails at the authorities, said the 
Star daily.
A riot broke out when police retaliated with firing tear gas and 
chemically-laced water at the crowds. Gun shots were also released into the 
crowds.
Two opposition supporters, aged 21 and 38, were seriously hurt in the 
scuffle. Both have been sent by heavy police escort to a local university 
hospital, the report said.
Four police officers also suffered light injuries. A total of 23 people were 
detained for rioting, said state police chief Ayub Yaakob.
'The situation only calmed down about 2 in the morning, and 23 people aged 
between 20 to 30 were detained for rioting,' Ayub was quoted as saying by 
the Malay-language Berita Harian daily.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak defended the police action, saying they 
were enforcing the law.
'If we do not obey the law, then there will be anarchy in our country, with 
nobody respecting the law,' Bernama quoted Najib as saying.
Opposition activists in Malaysia often organize small-scale public 
demonstrations and gatherings over issues such as alleged government 
corruption, but they usually disperse peacefully.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/20070910083254/Article/index_html

2007/09/10
Shot victim stable

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KOTA BARU: One of the two people shot during a riot at an opposition ceramah 
in Kuala Terengganu was transferred to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia 
(HUSM) yesterday under heavy police escort.
The man, in his 30s, identified as Swandi Ghani, of Kampung Binjai Rendah 
near Marang, Terengganu, was transferred from the Sultanah Nur Zahirah 
Hospital in Kuala Terengganu.

The self-employed father of six was conscious when he arrived at HUSM in an 
ambulance accompanied by his family and police personnel.

The man, who was shot in the chest, is expected to undergo an operation.

Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital deputy director (clinical) Dr Asari Abdullah 
said Swandi was in stable condition after doctors removed a blood clot.
His brother-in-law, Che Seman Yaakub, said they were in the dark over the 
incident.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/11/nation/18844319&sec=nation

Nation
Tuesday September 11, 2007
CPO: Cop was protecting women, kids
By R.S.N. MURALI
KUALA TERENGGANU: The police constable who shot at rioters who attacked him 
at an illegal gathering here on Saturday night was trying to protect a group 
of women and children.
State police chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Datuk Ayub Yaakob said Kons Azmi 
Husin, who was in plainclothes, was directing the women and children to 
leave the area as the situation in Jalan Sultan Mahmud was unsafe.
About 20 men armed with sharp weapons and sticks then spotted Kons Azmi and 
shouted "This man is Special Branch!" before assaulting him.
SAC Ayub said Kons Azmi, 29, was beaten until he collapsed, bleeding from 
the head.
"Lying on the ground, he took out his gun and fired four shots," said the 
police chief yesterday.
Two assailants were hit, one in the neck and the other in the shoulder. They 
have been warded at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital here and Hospital 
Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kelantan, and are reported to be in stable 
condition.
The riot was sparked off when police tried to disperse an illegal gathering 
of more than 500 at a political gathering organised by Bersih, a coalition 
of 60 non-governmental organisations pushing for electoral reform.
The gathering was supported by opposition parties PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat 
and DAP.
Following the melee, seven people were injured and 23 arrested, of which 19 
were later released.
In Parliament yesterday, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang called for a public 
inquiry, saying that the incident could have been avoided if the police had 
not disregarded the Royal Police Commission's recommendations to "respect 
the right to hold assemblies, meetings and processions", ELIZABETH LOOI 
reports.
Datuk Mohd Aziz (BN - Sri Gading) countered that Bersih should not have held 
the gathering because it did not have a permit.
At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu PAS commissioner Datuk 
Mustafa Ali said the gathering was part of Bersih's programmes to educate 
the public on the need for fair elections, LISA GOH reports.
When asked about homemade bombs and Molotov cocktails that were reported to 
have been hurled at police, he replied: "We didn't know about that. That 
claim was made by the police."

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200709091522.htm

Malaysian police fire tear gas to disperse gathering
Kuala Lumpur, Sept. 9 (AP): Police fired tear gas and chemical-laced water 
to disperse hundreds of Malaysian opposition supporters who staged an 
illegal rally, activists and news reports said today.
The crowd gathered to listen to opposition leaders speak at an outdoor forum 
about electoral fairness in northeastern Terengganu state late yesterday, 
the People's Justice Party said in a statement on its website.
The violence occurred after authorities ordered the people to return home 
because the event organizers had not secured a police permit as required by 
law for such public gatherings.
People began throwing stones, bottles and homemade explosives at the police, 
injuring one officer and damaging several police vehicles, Terengganu Police 
Chief Ayub Yaakob told the national news agency, Bernama.
"The police retaliated with tear gas and water cannons," Bernama quoted Ayub 
as saying.
At least 13 people were arrested for rioting, the report added.
The People's Justice Party condemned the incident, calling it "the abuse of 
power by the police to violate the public's right to obtain alternative 
information."
Political violence has been rare in Malaysia in recent years.
Opposition activists sometimes hold demonstrations over issues such as 
alleged government corruption, but they usually disperse peacefully.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/20070910083138/Article/index_html

2007/09/10
RM1m damage, 23 held in riot
By : Sean Augustin and Azura Abas

KUALA TERENGGANU: The rioters at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat ceramah here on 
Saturday night caused RM1 million in damage.

State police chief Datuk Ayub Yaakob said 23 people were arrested for 
rioting in the incident, adding that three were injured along with four 
policemen.

He said two of the rioters who were injured had been shot by a policeman 
when he was attacked.

He said the constable had fired twice in the air after being pushed to the 
ground, somehow hitting the two suspects.

Ayub said the two men and the constable were warded at the Sultanah Nur 
Zahirah Hospital, but the policeman was discharged yesterday.
Also warded was Federal Reserve Unit personnel Lance Corporal Azmi Hussein, 
who was assaulted with sticks by a group of about 20 men.

The others injured were given outpatient treatment at the same hospital.

The 23 suspects, in their 20s and 30s, will be charged under Section 148 of 
the Penal Code for rioting and for other offences.

The incident on Saturday saw 350 police and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) 
personnel quelling about 600 rioters.

A crowd of 200, which had been waiting for a ceramah by Keadilan treasurer 
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim in Jalan Sultan Mahmud, Batu Buruk, turned unruly 
after the police Light Strike Force asked them to disperse.

The crowd later swelled to 600 and began attacking the Light Strike Force, 
forcing it to call in the FRU.

The FRU then used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd, which 
became even more aggressive and began hurling Molotov cocktails and burning 
sticks.

The FRU started to retreat around 1am, three hours after the incident, 
hoping that the crowd would become less aggressive.

However, the mob pursued the police and FRU personnel.

Three bonfires were lit using plastic road dividers, tree branches and 
construction material.

Several flags were thrown into the bonfires.

Commenting on the incident in Petaling Jaya, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk 
Seri Najib Razak said he felt police had acted according to the law.

He said everyone, including Umno and other Barisan Nasional component 
parties, were required to get police permits before holding functions.

"Such laws apply to all and not just to the opposition parties.

"The police acted accordingly. They have the responsibility of enforcing the 
law."

Asked to comment on the rioters' refusal to disperse, Najib said they had to 
obey the law.

"If we don't follow them, there will be anarchy in the country with no one 
respecting the rules and regulations."

Earlier, Ayub said he ordered the police and FRU to retreat to prevent the 
situation from turning ugly.

"Our main priority is to restore public order. We would have preferred it if 
no confrontation had taken place, but at the same time, we had to take 
action to show that we are not weak," he said.

Ayub said police had invited organisers of the ceramah to the police station 
here for talks over the permit but up to 6pm on Saturday, no one had turned 
up.

The permit for the ceramah, he said, was rejected on safety grounds as it 
was being held at a residential area and near government quarters.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said opposition 
supporters who were at the incident on Saturday had gone overboard in their 
actions by rioting and burning flags, including the Umno flag.