Video: 24 Arrested At ISA Vigil

This video was made by malaysiakini

Bersih (Coalition for Free and Fair Elections) vigil to call for the end of the draconian ISA law turns ugly as 24 people was arrested. Some of the arrested includes Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu, PJ Utara MP Tony Pua, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San, a Catholic priest and a Malaysiakini.com videographer.

23 people have been released since the arrest after questioning and one still remains. Police explains the one remaining detainee was still in custody as he had criminal records and is linked and wanted to an on-going rape case.

On the night of the vigil on 9th November, some 300 people crowded the area of Petaling Jaya Civic Centre. There were speeches from the politicians and as the crowd were just starting to sting the national anthem, the police moved in. Some of the crowds claims the police used heavy-handed tactics and roughed them up.

The Bar Council has expressed disappointment over the Police rough treatment during the vigil, while politicians who was at the vigil, showed to the media at Parliament their battle scars. DAP’s Tony Pua showed his torn shirt and claims to be kicked in the stomach by an officer, while DAP’s Lau Weng San showed scratches on his face and busted lips.

The Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar responded to the media that the police gave the crowd 30 minutes warning to disperse before they acted. He claims that the illegal vigil has been going on for the past four weekends and business owners are complaining that their business was affected by the gathering. DCP Datuk Khalid also says “it is my duty to uphold order in the state” and his police officers “used minimal force” for those arrested.