Cops nab 4 Red Shirt supporters

PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested four Red Shirt movement supporters involved in minor offences during the group’s march towards online portal, Malaysiakini’s office on Saturday.

Selangor CID chief SAC Fadzil Ahmad said the four suspects comprising two men and women were later released on bail after their statements were recorded.

Fadzil said they were arrested for violations under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.

He said more protesters would be called up for questioning.

About 400 Red Shirt participants turned up for the group’s march to the online portal’s office.

Red Shirts leader Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos had initially estimated 20,000 protesters would take part.

Jamal said he did not want to bring a lot of Red Shirt participants to the protest because the online portal’s building would definitely be brought down if they had attended.

During the gathering, the police including Light Strike Force (LSF) personnel were seen holding back the Red Shirt protesters about 50m from the entrance of Malaysiakini’s office and at least two water bottles were thrown at the police.

Jamal called for the closure of the online portal, alleging that the latter had admitted to receiving funding from a foreign party.

He said they were there to protest against the funding allegedly received by Malaysiakini from Open Society Foundation, a grant-making organisation run by billionaire George Soros. – by Ashwin Kumar