World

Malaysian police break up anti-government protest

by Jarrett Martineau | February 15, 2008 at 10:02 pm

652 views | 2 Recommendations | 1 comment

With the Malaysian elections less than one month away, a group of ethnic Indians took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to protest what they claim is the Malaysian government's practice of racial discrimination.

Police in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur have used tear gas and chemical-laced water to break up an anti-government protest by ethnic Indians demanding racial equality.

On Saturday about 300 men, women and children were dispersed by about 100 policemen, including riot police with helmets and shields.

"Police were too rough" said S Manikavasagam, a spokesman for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), the ethnic indian group that organised the protest.

The Malaysian government is concerned about street protests in the run up to early general elections on March 8 and any gathering of more than four people requires a police permit.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Malaysian prime minister, is widely expected to retain power at the polls with his ruling party coalition, but with a reduced majority.

Many Indians accuse his multi-racial coalition, which is dominated by ethnic Malays, of racial discrimination.