Riot police in Kuala Lumpur have fired tear gas into a crowd of 5,000, who were protesting Malaysian security law.
The protesters want to over turn the country’s decades-old laws, which allow the government to imprison people without a trial.
Despite police warnings of a crackdown if they demonstrated, a crowd of mostly ethnic Malays marched from the national mosque to the king’s palace today chanting “God is Greatest” and “Down with the government”.
Water canons and tear gas were fired at the protesters, led by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, and about 180 people were arrested.
They were hoping to submit a petition to the king, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, calling for him denounce the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The ISA permits detention without trial on national security grounds, but many in the country fear it is being used by the government to silence political dissent.
Last year the ISA used was against a pro-opposition blogger, a journalist, and members of Hindraf, an outlawed Hindu rights group.
A joint statement released on Friday by the Malaysian rights group Suaram, the World Organisation Against Torture and the International Federation for Human Rights said: “The secrecy and unscrupulous practice that surrounds the use of the law exhibits the true colour of the ISA.”
Prime Minister Najib Razak said he had already agreed to review the controversial law and released thirteen Malays being detained under ISA powers on taking office in April.
However today’s protests will place further pressure on Razak, whose government is facing questions over the mysterious death of an opposition politician’s aide last month.
Teoh Beng Hock plunged from the 14th floor of the anti-corruption commission offices after going in for questioning.
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