46 Arrested as Police Chase Down Protesters

Defying tear gas and police beatings, hundreds of supporters of jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday marked the anniversary of his conviction with a protest that resulted in 46 arrests.

Police cordoned off several streets in downtown Kuala Lumpur, chased slogan-shouting demonstrators down alleys and beat them with canes in an attempt to disperse crowds that had gathered since late afternoon.

Security forces also stormed the capital’s National Mosque after lunchtime prayers, where Anwar supporters were waving banners and flags and shouting, “Allahu akbar!” Arabic for “God is great!” Authorities chased 400 people out of the white marble mosque and dragged several away in handcuffs before sealing the entrances.

Outside, trucks fitted with water cannons sprayed the crowds, prompting many shopkeepers in the city’s commercial district to pull down their shutters. Nearly 600 other people gathered near the mosque on one of Kuala Lumpur’s busiest streets.

The protest was meant to demonstrate the former deputy prime minister’s popularity among supporters who assembled despite a recent government edict outlawing all outdoor gatherings of more than four people in the capital.

Since the opposition parties posted gains in the November election, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s government has taken a series of measures to curb dissent.

“It just shows how scared and hysterical Dr. Mahathir has become over a demonstration. That makes us more determined to struggle for freedom and democracy in this country,” said Tian Chua, vice president of the opposition National Justice Party.

Kuala Lumpur’s police chief said 46 people were arrested Saturday, but he denied that police had used force.

Among those arrested were at least 10 rally organizers traveling to the Malaysian capital for the demonstration, Tian said.

“They are trying to intimidate us with these arrests,” said Tian, who is among those wanted by police.

The demonstration marks the first anniversary of a High Court ruling that sent Anwar to prison for six years on corruption charges.

Anwar says he was framed to quash his chances of becoming prime minister. He is now on trial on charges of sodomizing his former driver.

He was arrested in September 1998, soon after Mahathir removed him from his position as deputy prime minister. Kuala Lumpur subsequently erupted in anti-government protests, but they died out soon after his trial began.