M'sian police probes opposition

KUALA LUMPUR- MALAYSIA'S top opposition leaders will be called in for
questioning over a massive weekend protest against internal security
laws that saw 589 people arrested, police said on Tuesday.

In the biggest demonstration in Malaysia for nearly two years, police
used tear gas and water cannon Saturday to disperse more than 15,000
people calling for the abolition of laws that allow for detention
without trial.

'The police will be calling in those believed to be responsible for
the demonstration,' deputy police chief Ismail Omar told AFP, saying
there were 11 key figures on the list.

Mr Ismail did not name the 11, but police earlier said they included
opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, veteran legislator Lim Kit Siang from
the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Abdul Hadi Awang from the
Islamic party PAS.

Anwar's Keadilan party has partnered with the Chinese-based DAP and
the conservative PAS to form the Pakatan Rakyat, an opposition
alliance that made huge strides against the ruling coalition in
elections a year ago.

On Monday, 29 demonstrators including a teenage boy were charged in
court over the protest.

Human rights watchdog Suaram lodged a police report Tuesday accusing
the authorities of 'excessive use of force' and saying it had
photographic evidence of brutality and rights abuses.

'The protesters were beaten up by the police, tear gas canisters were
directly shot at them, they were very rough in handling the arrests
and there was excessive use of tear gas and water cannon,' said Suaram
coordinator Temme Lee. 'It was one-sided violence from the police,
there was no confrontation from the protesters. We demand that the
police chief resign.'

The Malaysian Bar Council has also condemned the crackdown, saying it
violated citizens' right to freedom of assembly and expression.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has denounced the demonstration, saying he
has already promised to review the controversial legislation, the
Internal Security Act (ISA). -- AFP