It was the latest attempt by authorities to deter citizens from marching in Kuala Lumpur on July 9 in what the opposition hopes will be Malaysia’s biggest protest in nearly four years.
The activists are demanding that authorities overhaul voter lists, introduce transparent procedures for ballots to be counted and make other policy changes ahead of national elections widely expected by mid-2012. Government officials say current electoral laws ensure enough fairness.
Authorities have arrested nearly 100 activists in cities across the country since Friday. Some were handing out leaflets linked to the planned demonstration, while others were traveling to publicity events. More than half have since been freed.
Police in northern Perak state on Wednesday detained 14 people who were wearing yellow T-shirts with the Malay-language word “bersih,” or “clean.” It is the name of a group of opposition-backed activists organizing next month’s rally.
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the arrests were justified, noting that the planned rally has been banned because authorities believe it is an opposition attempt to create chaos on the streets and undermine the government.
“The Bersih T-shirt is related to an illegal assembly, then whatever they are wearing is illegal,” Hishammuddin was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insider independent news website.
The “Bersih” group said in an statement posted online that police on Wednesday also confiscated T-shirts and leaflets from its headquarters on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
Officials say 30 activists who have remained in custody since Saturday are being investigated for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government and spread communist ideologies. Opposition parties accuse the government of trying to tarnish the public reputation of the activists.
Human rights group Amnesty International’s Malaysian chapter said Tuesday the government should uphold the people’s right to peaceful gatherings and not make arbitrary mass arrests.
