Only 26 of the 141 people wanted by the police for suspected involvement in the chaos during the Bersih 3.0 demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on April 28 surrendered to the police when the deadline ended at 7pm today.

Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department Deputy Head (Operations and Intelligence), ACP Khairy Ahrasa, said they were however, released on police bail after their statements were recorded.

Last Wednesday, Bukit Aman Police Headquarters gave a seven-day period to individuals whose photos were published to turn themselves in to help investigations in the Bersih 3.0 rally.

Earlier, deputy inspector-general of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said they began seeking those identified in the rally after a seven-day period ended today.  

“We’ve given them a choice to turn themselves in before we search for them at home. We don’t want to inconvenience their families. They should surrender themselves and we will record a statement and take normal action.  

“They consist of people from all levels of society, including professionals, office workers, civil servants, students and even the unemployed. We will take action using existing laws,” he told reporters after a ceremony where the Nilai Municipal Council (MPN) presented a mobile van to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) under the safe city programme.

Also present were Negri Sembilan Police chief Osman Salleh and MPN president Abd Halim Abd Latif.

Last Wednesday, Bukit Aman Police Headquarters gave a seven-day period to individuals whose photos were published to turn themselves in to help investigations in the Bersih 3.0 rally.

Khalid also said there was no statement that tear gas used by the police to disperse demonstrators was approved by the United Nations (UN).

“If such a statement was made it would be a misquote by the press. What we actually said was that the import of tear gas complied with UN procedures. We did not say the tear gas was approved by the UN.  

“The tear gas imported by Malaysia is of the same standard used by police in other countries and was verified by experts that it is safe for use in dispersing demonstrators,” he added.  

- Bernama