Anwar: I Suffered A Bruise And A Cut Leg

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he suffered a bruise on his head and a cut leg today after police fired tear gas on protesters demanding poll reform ahead of general elections.

Looking frail but in high spirits, Anwar said doctors had asked him to rest in hospital after suffering a fall following a tear gas attack.

As Najib Flees Bersih, Will Muhyiddin Be Malaysia's Gaddafi

Written by  Maclean Patrick

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, a few days ago, warned the Bersih 2.0 rally could lead to chaos and invite “interference from major powers”.

“Based on the experience in the Middle East, we know that foreign powers are all too eager to send their troops on the pretext of helping to solve the crisis,” he said.

Was Muhyiddin referring to Libya? If that is the case, then Muhyiddin has to get his facts straight. The Libyan conflict is between government forces led by Muammar Gaddafi against factions within the country calling for democratic rule after years of oppression.

Showdown At Menara Maybank

UPDATED

According to reports from the ground, the crowd could be as big as 10,000 and the number is expected to grow as more groups of protesters join in.

KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands have started marching towards Stadium Merdeka and are currently at Menara Maybank to meet other groups there.

The police have started firing tear gas and their water cannons at the crowd.

The protesters, who came together from various locations, were chanting, among others, “Hidup Rakyat” and “Bersih”.

Ambiga, Pakatan Leaders Arrested; Anwar Hurt

UPDATED

They were arrested when they started their march from the Hilton Hotel in KL Sentral to Stadium Merdeka.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 chairperson S Ambiga Sreenevasan and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang have been arrested.

Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah and PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim’s two daughters were also detained.

Malaysia Arrests Hundreds Ahead Of Democracy Demo

Malaysian police arrested more than 400 people on Saturday and used tear gas as a massive lockdown was imposed on the capital to thwart an opposition-backed rally demanding electoral reforms.

Police spokesman Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf told AFP the arrests were made from midnight around Kuala Lumpur. Police have declared the protest illegal, warning of chaos in the streets.

"They were arrested mainly for illegal assemblies around various points in the capital," Ramli said, insisting that no violence used in the 441 arrests.

Police Fire Tear Gas, Water Cannon On Malaysia Protesters

Malaysian riot police on Saturday fired new rounds of tear gas and used water cannon to disperse thousands of protesters demanding electoral reforms.

More than 500 people have now been arrested, police said.

AFP reporters said about 8,000 protesters fought back repeated tear gas and water attacks in front of a downtown bus station and were now in a standoff with the police.

Thai PM-In-Waiting Urges Fair Use Of Royal Rules

Thailand's premier-in-waiting said Friday that strict rules against insulting the monarchy should not be abused, following several high profile cases against critics of the outgoing government.

"I do not want to see the misuse of this law on lese majeste," said Yingluck Shinawatra, a 44-year-old political newcomer and sister of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

She called for study into the legislation under which anybody convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison.

"This article is a very sensitive law that requires expert legal discussion. I will ask experts and all relevant people to study it," she said.

Webber Quickest In Formula One Opening Practice

Mark Webber topped the times for Red Bull during Friday morning's opening practice for Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Mark Webber topped the times for Red Bull during Friday morning's opening practice for Sunday's British Grand Prix.

The veteran Australian clocked a lap of the damp and greasy Silverstone circuit in one minute 46.603 seconds towards the end of the session.

Malaysian Capital Locked Down For Rally

Malaysian police on Friday prepared to lock down the capital ahead of a controversial electoral reform rally which has triggered fears of chaos in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Organisers had agreed to hold Saturday's protest at a stadium after complaints that a planned street protest could turn into a riot, but the deal was thrown into confusion after police refused to give the necessary permit.

Bersih organisers said the rally would now be held outside Merdeka Stadium, despite warnings from authorities who have already arrested more than 200 people accusing them of drumming up support for the event.

Religious Leaders Call For Special Prayers, Urge All To Heed King's Advice

Written by  Melissa Lee

Religious leaders have urged "all parties" to respect the advice of the Malaysian King, who over the weekend issued a rare statement urging Prime Minister Najib Razak to conciliate with the Bersih coalition for free and fair election over its proposed July 9 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

Following an audience with the King, Bersih agreed to take its street rally indoors, while Najib agreed to allow it to use a stadium of its choice.

Police Refuse Permit To Bersih, But Rally Is Still ON

Written by  Wong Choon Mei

Slightly red-faced Bersih officials withdrew an earlier announcement that police had aproved their application to rally at the Stadium Merdeka, but vowed the rally would still go on - come what may.

They have also made an immediate appeal against the harsh decision and are awaiting the new result.

"GREAT NEWS! Dang Wangi police station called Bersih, asked them to pick up permit for rally in Stadium MERDEKA! Now falls to PM & Stadium Management to make appropriate arrangements," Bersih had said on its Twitter site and also it official Facebook page.

Running Scared In Malaysia

Written by  John Malott

The Malaysian government has pulled out all the stops to prevent an opposition rally this weekend. This week, army units conducted crowd control exercises with banners that said, "Disperse or we will shoot!" The police set up roadblocks and arrested Malaysians simply for wearing yellow T-shirts, the signature color of Bersih, a coalition of 62 nongovernmental organizations that demands changes in Malaysia's electoral system. To date, the police have arrested over 250 supporters of Bersih, claiming that they are "waging war against the king."

Police Rehearse Anti-Riot Routine To Scare Public

Queville To

Musician-turned activist Attama believes that the police crackdown on Sabah Bersih 2.0 rally organisers is 'a slap' in the face of every Malaysian.

KOTA KINABALU: The show of force by the police and their move to ‘close off’ the Foochow Association Hall to the Sabah Bersih 2.0′s indoor rally on Saturday has riled the organisors here.

The organisers condemned the police for attempting to intimidate and instill fear among the public by holding anti-riot drills in the open at Padang Merdeka here in the heart of the city and at a shopping area about 10 minutes away.