Anti-Lynas protesters allege being beaten up by group outside police HQ

(The Star) – Several anti-Lynas protesters have lodged police reports, alleging that they were beaten up by a group of men in front of the Kuantan district police headquarters.

Rosli Omar, 44, said he was awaiting the release of the arrested Himpunan Hijau members in Sunday’s protest against the Lynas rare earth refinery, when a group of men suddenly rushed over and started shouting at him.

“They called me a stupid Malay and then they hit me in the face. There were 13 of them,” he told reporters here on Monday.

Another protester Leong Kin Aw, 29, claimed that he was punched and kicked by several men when he tried to help a friend who was also being attacked in the incident 1am incident

The anti-Lynas protesters had gathered outside the district police headquarters after 16 people, including Himpunan Hijau leader Wong Tack, were arrested for refusing to disperse from the demonstration site, outside the Lynas rare earth plant in Gebeng on Sunday afternoon.

All of those arrested, except for Australian Natalie Lowrey, were released on bail on Monday.

Kuantan OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Aziz Salleh said police did attempt to contain the situation when the group of attackers showed up.

“We took action immediately when we saw the incident occur. The group ran away after our police personnel came out,” he said when contacted.

He added that police was now identifying the assailants and were investigating the matter under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.

On Lowrey, ACP Abdul Aziz said police would speed up investigations before handing over the case to the deputy public prosecutor.

“She is being investigated for participating in an illegal assembly and for abusing her travel permit. We can detain her for 14 days,” he said.