PAS has ordered its maroon uniformed welfare group, better known as Unit Amal, to provide security for the student protesters camping out at Dataran Merdeka.

Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil, the PAS Youth wing secretary, said about 30 Unit Amal volunteers would be stationed at Dataran Merdeka from tonight onwards.

NONEHe said this was a reaction to the mob attack on the occupiers which occurred at about 3am this morning.

“I am very disappointed with what happened. Based on this, I can conclude that our democracy is in peril,” he said.

The mob reportedly removed their tents of the protesters, damaged their video recording devices and physically attacked them, causing numerous injuries.

Khairul Faizi said the Unit Amal patrols will continue until the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally, when the students are scheduled to end their protest.

kuala terengganu by election 060109 unit amalThe students have been camping out in Dataran Merdeka for six days. They are protesting against the National Higher Education Loan Fund (PTPTN) which they say should be abolished.

In a related development, student group Malaysia Bangkit has urged the police to look after the protestors and take responsibility for failing to stem the attack.

“We are gathering peacefully. We are demanding free education. The police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall should respond. They were there (when the attack happened),” said the group’s leader Mohd Syahid Mohd Zaini.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh had advised the public from taking matters into their own hands.

This is to avoid an escalation of the incident.

Asked on PAS Unit Amal’s presence tonight, he said: “It is best that they let police investigate the matter first.

“We want all parties who have information to come forward. I don’t want anyone to use this as a reason to retaliate in violence,” he said.