KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Banging batons against their shields, Malaysian riot police chased away hundreds of demonstrators who held a candlelight vigil to protest a decades-old law allowing indefinite detention without trial.
It was the latest in a series of protests that has rocked the Malaysian government as it prepares for early general elections, which the Election Commission chairman said were "around the corner," The Star newspaper reported Sunday.
Police had banned the Saturday night vigil at Independence Square against the Internal Security Act, a legacy of British colonial rule that has been used in recent times to arrest Islamic terrorist suspects and political dissidents.
About 300 people gathered in front of a metal barricade at the entrance of the square and lit candles. Some chanted "No to ISA" and one man held a mock jail door. Muslims in the group held a silent prayer.
Riot police moved in, banging night sticks and pushing the demonstrators about 100 meters (330 feet) down the street. A water cannon fired a single burst to drive away stragglers
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