Police moved in to arrest 15 supporters of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim who gathered at the Malaysia Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon in conjunction with Anwar's conviction on April 14, 1999 to six years' jail for corrupt practice.

Among those arrested were Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) vice-presidents Tian Chua and Dr Sanusi Osman, Keadilan youth leaders Azwanddin Hamzah and Badrul Hisham.

The rest - including two women - were identified as reformists Syed Ahmad Putra, Nora Zimah, Noraini Aliman, Shahril Abdullah, S Jayapan, Anuar Mohd Nor, Khairul Anuar, David Kumaran, Hamzah Long, Omar Razak and R Madahvan.

They were taken to the Dang Wangi district police station later.

Police recorded statement from all of them and released them later in the night.

Police too 'rough'

About 70 people had gathered at Suhakam office in Menara Tun Razak along Jalan Raja Laut at 2pm, with posters and a huge banner demanding the release of Anwar. They also chanted 'reformas' slogans.

Several Keadilan leaders also gave speeches which lasted only some 20 minutes before police moved in as Tian Chua was speaking.

Dang Wangi police district chief Hadi Ho Abdullah who led a team of about 60 police and federal reserve unit personnel then arrested the 15

Speaking to reporters after the arrests, Keadilan vice-president R Sivarasa who was present said the arrests reflected the "typical high-handedness"of the police.

He also complained that the police did not provide time for the group to disperse but just moved in to arrest people.

"They are intolerance of a peaceful assembly," he said.

PAS central working committee member Dr Hatta Ramli who was also present criticised the police action too. He described the police action as too "rough" towards the reformasi supporters.

He said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's move to establish a Police Royal Commission to revamp the police force will remain an exercise in futility if the mentality of some police officers has not chnged.

"They are still not friendly nor tolerant towards the voices of dissent among the community?" he said.

Anwar issue still 'sensitive'

Hatta said the arrests also indicated that the Anwar issue is still considered "sensitive" by the government in power.

"The issue is still there and very much relevant. Anwar is still in the hearts of the people," he added.

Hadi and other police officers refused to comment.

However, as Hatta stretched out his hand to greet the district police chief, the visibly annoyed Hadi stared at Hatta and remarked:

"What? Cakap tak serupa, kata tak nak buat pun buat juga." (You lie. You still do this despite saying that you won't)

(The organiser initially decided to call off the rally but a group of reformasi leaders later decided to proceed with it)

Following the arrests, some 40 supporters later held a banner which read 'people's voice' and marched to the adjacent Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman to continue their protests but no further untoward incident was reported.