Three men, including a journalist, have today been detained in Kuala Lumpur over graffiti said to be linked to the 901 rally on Monday.

The trio, believed to be in their twenties, was nabbed by police near the Angkasapuri building at about 6am this morning.

“I can confirm that the arrests were made,” Brickfields OCPD Wan Abdul Bari Wan Khalid said when contacted this morning.

According to the trio’s lawyer Yusmadi Yusoff, his clients are being investigated under Section 506 and Section 509 of the Penal Code.

Section 506 deals with criminal intimidation while Section 509 deals with insulting the modesty of a woman.

“They will be remanded for four days until Jan 10,” he said when contacted.

The men were detained for spray painting ‘TTR901'.

It is, however, unclear if the graffiti is related to the rally in support for PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, whose sodomy trial verdict will be read out on Jan 9.

The graffiti, which appears to have been done using black spray paint and a stencil, were first spotted around the Bangsar area this week.

They have only started appearing after Anwar’s supporters announced their intention to gather at the Kuala Lumpur Duta Court on Monday.

Medical attention sought

Yusmadi added that a court order has also been obtained for medical attention to be given to one of the detainees who is suffering from asthma.

The lawyer, who is also PKR MP for Balik Pulau, however, stressed that the trio’s actions have no links to the party, and is part of a “social movement and reaction” over the impending verdict.

PKR is organising a gathering at the Kuala Lumpur court in solidarity with their leader.

Police have allowed the gathering to take place at the carpark, but imposed strict restrictions like banning banners, loudhailers and speeches.