KUALA LUMPUR: The police thwarted an attempt by rally participants to trespass into Merdeka Square despite a barbed wire barricade when they fired tear gas cannisters and trained jets of chemical-laced water at them.
Prior to the incident about 3pm, the participants were cautioned three times by the police but remained adamant.
Left with little choice, the police resorted to using the tear gas and chemically-laced water, causing them to disperse towards Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja Laut — but not before the participants retaliated by hurling plastic and glass bottles, and pieces of wood at the police.
About 30 minutes later, Coalition for Clean, Fair Elections (Bersih) steering committee co-chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and other opposition leaders left the vicinity while advising the rest of the participants to disperse, as well.
However, some participants could still be seen milling around the area and the Sogo shopping complex.
Earlier, Kuala Lumpur City Hall had advised the rally organisers against holding the demonstrations at the square as the premises was meant to be utilised for national-level official activities.
Friday, the police obtained an order from the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court to restrain the parties from gathering at the square, beginning midnight until May 1. — BERNAMA