Nine Demonstrators Detained Near Iskandariah Palace
(Bernama) — Nine men were detained after over 2,000 Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supporters turned violent and clashed with police near Iskandariah Palace here Friday.
The supporters became violent when police stopped them from moving towards the palace where Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir was being sworn-in as new Menteri Besar before the Sultan of Perak.
Perak police chief Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said the nine detained aged 22-55 include an Indonesian national.
"They are detained for rioting using weapons and can be jailed a maximum five years upon conviction," he told a press conference at Kuala Kangsar police headquarters here.
The PR supporters resorted to violence by throwing stones and objects at police and cars carrying invited guests to the swearing-in ceremony.
The car carrying Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah was also pelted with objects while several men tried to obstruct the way by lying on the road.
"The windscreen of several vehicles were also shattered by flying objects. We regret the incident as we had taken precaution by lining men along the road."
Zulkifli said police were forced to fire tear gas after the PR supporters started throwing objects at passing vehicles while several began lying down on the road.
The PR supporters armed with banners began gathering after Friday prayers at Ubudiah Mosque, 300 metres from Iskandariah Palace.
They started moving towards Iskandariah Palace at 3.30pm.
Police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) them moved in and stopped them from entering Jalan Bukit Chandan, the road leading up to the palace.
"We regret that the gathering comprising youths and women had used the mosque as the starting point to commit criminal acts aimed at preventing the swearing-in ceremony."
He said police would investigate to find out who was responsible for the gathering and warned of firm against responsible for stirring trouble and disturbing public order.
