Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Police quick to end fast - Malaysian Insider

Police in control of fast site, as their personnel sit inside the tent intended for the fasters today. - Picture by Shannon Teoh

By Shannon Teoh

IPOH, May 26 — The police here “stopped” the planned Pakatan Rakyat (PR) hunger strike by arresting five workers and taking over the tent where the fast was to take place.

The light strike officers moved in at 7am arrested two locals and three Burmese workers from an event management company who were putting up the tent and a giant balloon — which was confiscated by the police.

They are now occupying the canopy to block PR from continuing with their fast which was meant to be part of a move to press for fresh state elections.

As at 9.30am, the riot police are still under the tent just outside the DAP headquarters here and having breakfast.

A total of 40 policemen, two jeeps, four police cars, two vans and seven trucks are in attendance but no PR leaders except for Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran have arrived.

Ousted mentri besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin and dumped speaker V. Sivakumar are due to launch the event at 11am.

The balloon has also been confiscated by the authorities.

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