Protest and tear gas rock royal town
The Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) fires several rounds of tear gas as more than 3,000 Pakatan Rakyat supporters converge for a protest march at the Ubudiah mosque - about 1km from Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) fires several rounds of tear gas as more than 3,000 Pakatan Rakyat supporters converge for a protest march at the Ubudiah mosque - about 1km from Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
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LIVE REPORTS
4.55pm: The BN entourage is leaving the palace leading the convoy. Few minutes later Perak regent's car also passed by. All these vehicles were jeered and booed by the crowd.
4.30pm: Police confirm earlier that nine people have been arrested. The majority of the crowd have dispersed. Only a few hundreds are lingering in Ubudiah mosque.
4.01pm: Zambry is sworn in before Sultan Azlan Shah. About 1,000 people are still gathered near the mosque with the police keeping a close watch.
4.00pm: A man claiming to be a Perak PAS representative addresses some 1,000 protesters using a loud-hailer from a police truck.
He tells them that they have already 'conveyed their message to the world' and calls on them to disperse.
3.58pm: Swearing-in ceremony for new Perak MB Zambry Abdul Kadir begins.
3.50pm: There are about 1,000 protesters still in Ubudiah mosque. About 10 people have been arrested during the 40-minute fracas between the crowd and riot police.
The remaining crowd is expected to wait for the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Iskandariah. According to PAS state assemblyperson Khalilul Rahman Abdul Samad, the protesters may attempt to block the main road again.
Swearing-in ceremony yet to begin at the palace.
3.45pm: No protesters could be seen in front of Istana Iskandariah where the new Perak MB, Zambry Abdul Kadir, is about to be sworn in.
3.33pm: State PAS leaders arrive at the scene and urge Pakatan supporters to calm down. Swearing-in ceremony for new MB about to begin.
3.25pm: The situation calms down at the Ubudiah mosque. Several people are seen crying and scolding the police for firing tear gas into the mosque compound.
"They should not have shot the tear gas at us as we are just asking to keep the legal government of Perak. Firing tear gas at the people does not make us more loyal," said Ahmad Zin, a 58-year-old religious teacher.
3.20pm: Police have finally cleared the blockade by the crowd and all cars are able to proceed to Istana Iskandariah.
3.19pm: A vehicle with a yellow (royal) registration plate, said to be ferrying Perak crown prince Raja Nazrin Shah, is pelted with stones by angry supporters. The black limo is stopped by the protesters for a number of minutes before it can continue on its way to the palace.
3.18pm: Tear gas still being fired into the mosque compound. Deputy Premier Najib Abdul Razak's car enters the palace.
3.11pm: A group of protesters are lying on the road to block the passing cars.
3.10pm: FRU personnel manage to remove the blockade and cars are passing through to the palace.
3.08pm: Tear gas is fired at those blocking Jalan Istana, the main road to the palace. The FRU are also arresting those participating in the blockade.
3.06pm: About 300 people are blocking the road leading to the palace, stopping dignitaries and BN politicians from attending the swearing-in ceremony, which is to kick off at 3.30pm.
3.04pm: The crowd is dispersed. Some are trying to block Jalan Istana, the road leading to the palace.
3.01pm: FRU charges at the crowd. A handful are seen throwing stones at the police.
2.59pm: More tear gas fired into the mosque carpark.
2.58pm: Crowd retreats to the Ubudiah mosque.
2.50pm: Another round of tear gas fired. Crowd refuses to back down with some throwing rocks at the FRU personnel.
2.43pm: Police tells the crowd to disperse. First round of tear gas fired.
2.41pm: The crowd swells to about 3,000 with some carrying banners calling on the sultan to dissolve the state assembly. FRU personnel are moving into position.
Earlier reports
Some 500 Pakatan Rakyat supporters broke through a police barricade outside the Ubudiah mosque in Kuala Kangsar - about 1km from the Istana Iskandariah (below) - during a protest march this afternoon.
At precisely 2.22pm, the supporters, which included a large group of women, had gathered outside the mosque after Friday prayers.
They had wanted to march from the mosque to Jalan Istana, the main road to the palace where the swearing-in of the new Perak menteri besar, Zambry Abdul Kadir, is scheduled to take place at 3.30pm.
At 2.26pm, the crowd breaches the police barricade, and at 2.28pm, the police retaliate by firing several rounds of tear gas.
This forced the supporters to retreat back into the Ubudiah mosque (right).
The police have deployed some 30 Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and 20 uniformed personnel.
At 2.40pm, the crowd regroups outside the Ubudiah mosque as police sirens are heard blaring in the background. It is learnt that several truckloads of FRU personnel are being deployed to the scene.
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