Rallies pose national security threat: Malaysian Police

Rallies pose national security threat: Malaysian Police

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A senior officer on Tuesday defended
police actions in breaking up a mass protest by Malaysia's
opposition, saying demonstrators posed a national security
threat.

Johar Che Din, deputy police chief of Selangor state, was
giving evidence at an inquiry by the human rights commission into
alleged brutality last Nov. 5.

Police used tear gas, batons and water cannon to break up the
protest by supporters of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim
on the Kesas main highway west of Kuala Lumpur.

Some 26 of the 125 people who were arrested reported injuries
ranging from bloody noses to cracked ribs.

Several protesters earlier told the inquiry -- the first of
its kind in Malaysia -- that police beat, punched and kicked
demonstrators and fired tear gas indiscriminately to break up
what they called a peaceful gathering.

Johar headed a 1,000-strong force including riot police,
paramilitary and the air wing.

He said local residents opposed a planned opposition rally in
the area and it had been declared illegal. But protesters on the
day defied numerous warnings to disperse, shouted abuse and threw
stones.

"Police faced numerous demonstrations all over the place --
they played a cat and mouse game," Johar said. "For all you know
they wanted us to be seen as aggressors. In the first place they
should not be there. They had no regard for authority.

"They disregarded the laws and threatened the security of the
country. Maybe they chose the right time. Things were not good in
Southeast Asia," he added in apparent reference to unrest in
neighboring countries.

"It was very tense. Stones were pelted and there was complete
disregard of the laws and the police."

Johar, the first of several police witnesses, was not asked
about the injuries to protesters or the allegations of excessive
force.

He said he spent most of the time at a temporary police
command post, getting reports by phone and radio from other
officers.

Asked by retired judge Anuar Zainal Abidin, who heads the
inquiry, when tear gas was fired, Johar replied: "I'm not sure
but when they did not disperse they (police) used water cannon.
If people still did not disperse they used tear gas."

He denied claims that police sprayed tear gas into a closed
truck full of arrested protesters. One witness has said his
eyesight was permanently damaged when he was sprayed at close
range.

"We are very strict. We do not condone this sort of activity,"
Johar said.

Johar also denied that detainees were kept in a truck for up
to four hours and said those arrested were well treated and even
given a room in which to pray.

The inquiry is continuing.

Anwar is serving a jail term totaling 15 years after being
convicted of abuse of power and sodomy. He says his former
mentor, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, orchestrated a
conspiracy to frame him because he was seen as a political
threat. The government denies any plot.