Police arrest two assemblyman at a protest calling for the Prime Minister's Resignation near Sogo

UPDATE
THE STAR

Police have arrested 29 people over a protest rally in front of the Sogo shopping centre on Saturday.

The detainees are being held at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters in Jalan Hang Tuah and face charges under Section 143 of the Penal Code for taking part in an unlawful assembly. The offence carries a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.

They are also being investigated for allegedly taking part in “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy”, said police.

KL police chief Comm Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa said a total of 23 men and six women were arrested.

“Those that were arrested will be brought to court to be remanded to facilitate investigations. The police acted professionally and in accordance with the law in dealing with the rally,” he said in a statement.

Chaos unfolded after police began arresting participants moments after the rally began in front of the Sogo shopping centre at 2pm.

Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang and Simpang Pulai assemblyman Tan Kar Hing were among those arrested.

Chaos unfolds at rally near Sogo

BY NATASHA JOIBI AND JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZITHE STAR

KUALA LUMPUR:  Chaos unfolded after police arrested two assemblyman at the protest calling for the Prime Minister's Resignation at the Sogo Shopping Complex here.

Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang and Simpang Pulai assemblyman Tan Kar Hing were detained at 2.20pm.

The two assemblymen had earlier engaged in discussions with the police after the latter had instructed the crowd to disperse.

The two assemblymen were then escorted into the police truck minutes after.

Two separate explosions were heard after the arrests, setting off a series of arrests of protesters.

The explosions are believed to have been caused by firecrackers.

Several shops on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman including Sogo had also closed their doors due to the commotion on the street when the arrests were being made.

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman which was earlier closed to traffic was reopened.  

The police who are on standby at the area have asked the public and media to disperse from the area.