 |
| Malaysian activists from Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), background, sit on a street as they face riot police during a rally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, July 9, 2011. Police fired tear gas and detained hundreds of activists as those demonstrators massed Saturday across Malaysia’s main city demanding electoral reforms in the country’s biggest political rally in years. The “Bersih” means “clean” in Malay. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) |
 |
| Malaysian activists from Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) shout on a street during a rally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, July 9, 2011. Police fired tear gas and detained hundreds of activists as those demonstrators massed across Malaysia’s main city demanding electoral reforms in the country’s biggest political rally in years. The “Bersih” means “clean” in Malay. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin) |
07.10.11
By SEAN YOONG
Associated Press
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian authorities sought Sunday to deflect criticism that the government was suppressing dissent after making mass arrests and unleashing tear gas against at least 20,000 demonstrators who marched for electoral reforms.
The political fallout from rare scenes of mayhem in Kuala Lumpur is certain to complicate efforts by Prime Minister Najib Razak’s ruling coalition to bolster its support ahead of general elections that many expect to be held within a year.
International rights groups and Malaysian opposition parties denounced the government’s response to the country’s largest political rally in four years, which resulted in the arrest of 1,667 people Saturday. All were freed without immediate charges by Sunday.
Amnesty International called it “the worst campaign of repression we’ve seen in (Malaysia) for years,” while Human Rights Watch said it was “a maelstrom of the Malaysian authorities’ own making.”
Najib’s declaration that the rally was unlawful and repeated warnings over the past month for people to avoid it have sparked criticism that his National Front coalition wants to extend its 54-year rule by ensuring that election policies favor the government. The coalition’s mandate expires in mid-2013 but many expect national polls by next year.
No comments:
Post a Comment