Saturday, April 28, 2012

Malaysian Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannon to Disperse Protesters

Tens of thousands of folk marched during the streets of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, Saturday to protest what they are saying is an unfair electoral system. Riot police lashed out against the group to quell mounting discontent with the govt. in advance of the approaching election. 

Protestors gathered in Kuala Lumpur's historic Merdeka, or Independence Square as Saturday's rally quickly turned violent.

Malaysian riot police fired tear gas and a water cannon to manage the crowds when they broke though barbed wire and barricades used to dam off the square in anticipation of the protest.

The demonstrators say they're bored to death with the govt. and its 2011 Peaceful Assembly Act - which limits where political rallies could be held. Saturday's demonstration is the most important Malaysia has seen in a decade.

Federal police in Malaysia estimated the protesting crowd number at 25,000 but several independent media outlets said the turnout was greater than twice that.

One protestor seeking refuge after tear gas was sprayed in her eyes was candid about her thoughts at the current state of Malaysian politics. “This is a bitch [bad] government,” said the protestor.

Protestors are calling for changes to the country's electoral laws, which they are saying will favor Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling coalition inside the upcoming elections.

The rally was organized by the opposition-backed group Bersih, or “Clean,” which staged an analogous rally against electoral fraud in July last year.

Nurul Izzah, a member of parliament for a center-class suburb in Kuala Lumpur who's also the daughter of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, cheered the protesters.

"So the turnout is successful. i'm demanding that the house minister and the prime minister heed our requires god's sake," said Izzah. "Lead the election role, replace the tip lot of the Malaysian election commission with people whom Malaysians can trust. That's all we're asking. We aren't asking to take over the rustic.''

With his popularity already on a steep decline, the violence could prompt Prime Minister Najib Razak to to delay elections that have to be called by next March but should be would becould very well be held as early as this June.

Nahib's popularity sunk after police employed heavy-handed tactics on the Bersih rally last July.

Police violence could alienate middle class voters, while further reform could anger conservatives in what's shaping as much as be Malaysia's tightest election.

Government opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim didn't miss the possibility to drum up support.

“So, the police caught on, to permit us to march, there are actually five centers like this," he said. "So we need to converge. So immediately after prayers we're going to should move, and we'll see what happens. But it is very important that we have got Malaysians from all communities, racial groups, converging together, demanding fair free elections, and forestall the fraud."

Malaysia, a former British colony, is tightly controlled.  The prime minister has made some reforms to the country's tough security and media laws, and ended indefinite detention without trial, nevertheless it could be too little too late.  

It is unclear whether initial changes to electoral laws may be in place for a higher elections.

Young Malaysians have become increasingly politicized and the government's 55-year grip on power appears under threat.



From WhatNewsToday.net

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