London riots ‘show July 9 crackdown justified’

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KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy IGP yesterday defended the quashing of an electoral reform rally last month, saying it helped avoid the type of “tragic scenes” being seen in riot-torn Britain.

The government was criticised for its reaction after riot police fired tear gas and water cannon to break up a protest in Kuala Lumpur on July 9, arresting more than 1,600 people.

But deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said in a posting on his Facebook page that several days of British riots highlighted “the nightmares that we are fighting hard to avoid and prevent”.

“Praise to God, we are able to avoid these scary and tragic scenes from erupting here in our beloved country,” he said.

“Street protest(s) should always be avoided as we will never know what it can turn into. Peace-loving Malaysians will understand. Rights to assemble must always be balanced with public order.”

The July rally was organised by a coalition of non-government groups to call for electorial reform.

Washington and the UN High Commission for Human Rights were among those who criticised the government’s reaction after police broke up the rally. — AFP