Malaysian Police Disperse Pro-Democracy Activists
Police fired tear gas shells and used a water cannon Saturday to disperse thousands of demonstrators rallying in this capital in support of ousted Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, but police arrested dozens of people and led them away in handcuffs for shouting pro-Anwar slogans or waving posters.
Standing along barricades, thousands of people shouted “Reform! Reform!” as police cordoned off the historic Independence Square.
Demonstrators were dispersed by police on horseback and by riot guards armed with batons and shields.
Pro-democracy activists had scheduled protests at three nearby mosques. Police feared a repeat of last Sunday’s mammoth rally, after which Anwar was led away by masked riot police. He has not been seen in public since.
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