KUALA LUMPUR – Police arrested PKR leaders Zuraida Kamaruddin and Chua Tian Chang after the Bersih 5 protest Saturday, the latter for rioting under Section 147 of the Penal Code.
Police also said that graphic artist Fahmi Reza, Hishamuddin Rais, Pasir Pinji assemblyman Howard Lee and Umno Youth exco Datuk Armand Azha Abu Hanifah were arrested under Section 147 and Section 511 of the Penal Code.
Another man, Tony Siew Teck Choon, was arrested for using a drone during the Bersih 5 rally and investigated under Section 143 of the Public Aviation Rules.
Two other men were detained for assault and illegal possession of weapons.
The arrest of PKR vice-president Chua, better known as Tian Chua, came after the arrests of four others, including activists Fahmi Reza and Hishamuddin Rais, at the street demonstration organised by polls reform group Bersih 2.0 in the city.
“Please be informed that Tian Chua has just been arrested at his home in Bandar Utama by the police (supposedly the Special Task Force on Organised Crime) from IPK KL, led by DSP Norsulan,” the PKR communications team quoted lawyer R. Sivarasa as saying.
“The case is under Section 147 of the Penal Code, related to involvement in rioting. The police will request for a remand order Sunday,” he added.
According to PKR, Wanita PKR chief Zuraida was being brought to the Dang Wangi police headquarters, but the reason for her arrest was not immediately known.
The federal opposition party also said it was understood that five to six more PKR leaders or activists may be arrested anytime.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Amar Singh confirmed Chua’s arrest under Section 147 and Section 511 of the Penal Code, a general provision on the punishment for attempting to commit offences under the Penal Code.
Dinesh Muthal, one of the lawyers for Fahmi, Hishamuddin, Lee and Siew, said that his four clients would also face a remand hearing Sunday.
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.
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.
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.
