Just seconds after three warnings were sounded by siren, Federal Reserve Unit personnel began spraying chemical-laced water on protestors who had assembled outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to protest the war on Iraq, on the second anniversary of the invasion.

Some 400 protestors had little time to respond and soon reacted to the effects of the water as well as tear gas, as about 120 police personnel stood ready for further action. Many sustained eye irritation and nausea.

Those leaving the scene condemned the police use of force, likening it to the 'US' brutal war on Iraq'.

The demonstration - held in tandem with a worldwide day of protests against the continued occupation of Iraq since the US-led war on March 19, 2003 - began at 10.40 am. The FRU action began at 11.10am under disputed circumstances .

The second of its kind in Malaysia, the protest was organised by opposition parties Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Parti Keadilan Rakyat, DAP and PAS as well as non-governmental organisations.

The protestors ranged in age from about six to more than 70, with some having come from Ipoh and Penang.

No provocation

"There you see it, democracy in Malaysia. We love our country and justice but..." said pro-tem PSM leader Dr Jeya Kumar Devaraj as he walked away, drenched and visibly upset.

Its secretary-general S Arutchelvan lambasted the police, saying: "There were women, children, old people in the crowd. It was a peaceful protest. There was no provocation. Yet they fired water laced with chemicals. They want us to suffer."

He had earlier negotiated with a police officer from the Dang Wangi district police headquarters Shafie Muhamad for permission to hold the gathering for an hour.

However, five minutes later Cheras police chief Mohd Nor Masdar ordered the crowd to disperse.

Chairperson Mohamad Nasir Hashim questioned the professionalism of the police for failure to observe procedural steps before action was taken.

However, Mohd Nor told reporters that the protestors did not have a permit for the gathering, and also that it was police prerogative to act as soon as the warnings were sounded.

The war on Iraq had been condemned by many nations, in particular those led by Muslim governments. Despite recent national elections in Iraq, troops from the US and its allies are still based in the oil-rich land that was under president Saddam Hussein, now a prisoner.

Photos by Colin Nicholas and Roshan Jason.