Water Rally: Tear Gas Fired At Protesters

Frankly said, I am not that clear with water issue in Selangor but I suppose it's more politically in nature instead of the talk of the right. But I hope it is a serious talk of right, not only politically in nature.

If I'm not mistaken the issue revolves around the increment of water tariff. But what I know early this evening the tear gas was fired at protesters.

Water rally: Tear gas fired at protesters
(Demo Air: Gas Pemedih Mata Dilepaskan Ke Arah Penunjuk Perasaan)

KUALA LUMPUR: Police fired tear gas and water cannons at some 2,000 protesters trying to hand over a memorandum on Selangor water issues to Istana Negara Sunday.

The protesters, who had gathered at the National Mosque since 9am, started their march to the palace at about 1.30pm.

They were approaching the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station when Federal Reserve Unit personnel blocked their way.

When they insist on getting through, police fired few rounds of tear gas and water cannons.

Most of the protesters ran for cover inside the station, some at the National Mosque compound but later regrouped to try and have a go at the police line again.

By 2.45pm, police have fired at least 20 tear gas at the crowd and the stand-off between the two sides remained as police used the loud hailer to ask the crowd to disperse.

It is learnt that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and a few excos were allowed to pass the police line and head on to the palace.

Khalid was to hand over signatures collected on the water issue to the King.

Earlier, police starting setting roadblocks leading to Istana Negara in anticipation of the rally.

Police personnel are also guarding roads in the vicinity of the National Mosque where the crowd had gathered to wait for word to walk to the palace.

City police chief Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said he met Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to inform him that the march had not been approved.

Police have picked up at least three people for questioning in connection with the gathering.

At Stadium Merdeka, some 500 members of the Gabungan Anti-Penyelewengan Selangor (GAPS) gathered to protest against alleged misappropriation of funds by the Selangor government.

Its chairman Hamidzun Khairuddin later led a group of eight representatives to submit a memorandum to the King at the Istana Negara.

The memorandum consisted of 30 allegations of misappropriation by the state government.

GAPS is also protesting against PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call for an end to 'Ketuanan Melayu'.

The gathering dispersed at about noon.

More to come.

The Star Online as updated at 3.46pm