POLICE FIRE TEAR GAS & CHEMICAL-LACED WATER CANNON ON ANWAR'S CERAMAH AT SUNGEI PETANI, KEDAH

Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) forces fired tear gas and used water cannons tonight on more than 5,000 people who had gathered at a ceramah in Bukit Selambau just as Opposition Leader and de facto PKR Adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was about to commence his speech.

It was noted at about 10pm, the FRU engaged the crowd gathered in an open field in front of a shophouse that is being used by PKR as its operation centre for the April 7 by-election.

The opposition leader and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders were holed up in the operation centre until nearly 11pm as police continued breaking up the crowd consisting of women and children outside vigorously with tear gas and chemical-laced water cannons.

It was reported that the crowd of thousands dispersed into nearby housing areas with the FRU giving chase as they continued to fire tear gas.

Among those arrested include fellow party member Zamri Yusuf who is a Senator from Kedah, Datuk Seri Anwar’s chief of staff Ibrahim Yaacob, aides to Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak and S Manikumar, the candidate for the coming Bukit Selambau by-elections.