Seven nabbed during Bersih 5 for various offences

KUALA LUMPUR — Seven people have been arrested by police for their involvement in the Bersih 5 demonstration which saw at least 15,500 yellow shirts swarming the city on Saturday (Nov 19). Bersih estimated the crowd at 120,000.

Police added that 2,500 red shirt supporters were also present and 28 police reports were made, of which 20 involved arrests while eight were general reports.

City police chief Amar Singh said Bersih steering committee member and activist Hishamuddin Rais, 65, Pasir Pinji assemblyman Howard Lee Chuan How, 33, and Umno Youth Exco Malaysia committee member Amand Azha Abu Hanifah, 41, were arrested under Section 147 and Section 511 of the Penal Code for rioting and attempts to commit the same offence.

He also confirmed the arrest of 39-year-old political graphic designer Fahmi Reza.

Amar said a 49-year-old man was also arrested for drone usage during the rally and investigated under Section 143 of the Public Aviation Rules.

According to sources, the man was identified as Mr Tony Siew, the owner of the Waikiki Bar which is a popular watering hole located along Jalan Sultan in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

He said another 33-year-old man was detained after he assaulted a Bersih participant by purposely kicking him.

Another 33-year-old man was also nabbed for illegal possession of weapons as police found a parang and a brass knuckle in the man’s possession.

Mr Amar also added that a report was lodged by the Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainol Samah on Thursday regarding an attempt to overthrow the government using undemocratic ways.

Several participants who brought underage children to the rally will be investigated for violating the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Bersih participants gathered at Dataran Maybank, Bangsar LRT Station, National Mosque, SOGO, Jalan Tun Perak and roads leading to Dataran Merdeka.

Meanwhile, red shirt participants gathered at PWTC, Jalan Raja Laut, SOGO and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman before heading towards Padang Merbok.

Both groups dispersed from their respective locations around 6pm. MALAY MAIL ONLINE, AP