While scores had run foul of the law for taking their grouses to the streets without a police permit, today's demonstration however saw a twist.

According to organisers of the demonstration against the United States and Israel's ongoing military aggression in the Middle- East, the police had offered them a permit although no application was made.

This afternoon's 90-minute protest held outside the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre coincided with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to the Malaysian capital to attend the Asean meeting.

The demonstration was organised by the Anti-War Coalition of Malaysia.

"We did not apply for any permit. The police called us this morning and told us they wanted to give us a permit," said organising committee member Yap Swee Sweng when met.

The conditions in the permit stated that the group was allowed to demonstrate in front of the convention centre where the Asean leaders were meeting provided that no seditious or defamatory remarks are made.

Rice was scheduled to attend the signing of an Asean-US treaty on enhanced partnerships this afternoon.

At 2pm, the 100-strong protestors comprising representatives from opposition parties and non-governmental organisations marched from the nearby Petronas Twin Towers to the convention centre.

The crowd, armed with placards and banners, chanted 'Get out Rice' and 'Bush the terrorist'.

The banners read 'Bush is the biggest terrorist'; 'War criminal Condy- get out'; 'Down with Zionism and Israel'; 'Stop FTA' and 'America is a terrorist nation'.

Some 50 police personnel, including members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and mounted unit, led by Dang Wangi district police chief Kamal Pasha Jamal kept a watchful eye but no untoward incidents were reported.

'Apathetic Malaysians'

Meanwhile, opposition leaders also took a swipe at Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when addressing the crowd.

"Badawi is trying to appease the US by allowing Condy's visit. Let it be made clear that we are against terrorism of any sort, but we are also against state-terror, like what is being committed by Israel and America," said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information bureau chief Tian Chua.

PAS Muslimat (women's wing) leader Dr Siti Mariah Mahmood said the poor turnout at the demonstration reflected the apathetic attitude of Malaysians.

At approximately 3.45 pm, after Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar had earlier refused to receive a memorandum condemning Rice's visit, three members of the coalition placed the memorandum on the steps leading up to the main entrance of the convention centre.

The crowd jeered when informed of the minister's refusal to accept the memorandum. The protestors then dispersed peacefully.

Police chief's discretion

Commenting further on the granting of the permit, Yap said it reflected the government's stand on the issue and that the police could not practise double standards after allowing Umno Youth to hold a similar protest last week.

"The police should not be selective in issuing permits to hold peaceful assemblies or worse, clampdown on the assembly by making arrests. Every citizen has the right to freedom of assembly," added the activist.

Met later, Kamal said he issued the permit based on his discretionary powers and stressed that he did not practise double standards.

"I am of the view that this is a peaceful demonstration. This is something that the world must accept," he added when asked why the police had come down hard on other demonstrations at the same venue in the past.

He also disclosed that permits had been issued for similar protests to be held by Umno Youth and PAS tomorrow and after the Friday prayers at the Petronas Twin Towers and Kampung Baru mosque respectively.

Asked if the police would allow a protest against the hike in fuel prices and power tariff scheduled for Saturday, he replied: "We have to see whether it is detrimental to national security and whether the demonstrators go overboard."

In a related development, Penang-based social reform movement Aliran also condemned Rice's visit.

"Given such raw aggressions and violations of human rights by Israel and America, we call upon Malaysians, irrespective of ethnicity, religious preferences and political affiliations to come together to protest the presence in our midst of the very symbol of such injustice and inhumanity: Condoleezza Rice," it said in a statement.

Mkini video of the gathering today. Producer: Jeremiah Foo