Cops link parang, petrol bombs seizure to Bersih
The police have confiscated scores of weapons yesterday and are linking it with the rallies scheduled for this Saturday.
The police say they confiscated scores of weapons yesterday and are linking it with the rallies scheduled for this Saturday.
A total of 44 Molotov cocktails, 23 parang, 43 firecrackers and 48 T-shirts with the Bersih logo were seized during operations in Gombak, Selangor and three locations in Kuala Lumpur.
In Kuala Lumpur, the items were found by the police within the vicinity of Sogo shopping complex, Wisma Bumi Raya and Pertama Complex after receiving a tip off.
According to Kuala Lumpur contingent deputy police chief Amar Singh, the items include eight petrol bombs, 43 firecrackers, a saw, a cleaver, eight surgical masks, 23 parang and four T-shirts with Bersih logo.
Speaking at a press conference today, Amar said all the times were packed into black plastic bags and hidden in strategic locations. The items were found by the police at about 6.30am.
One package was hidden among flower pots in front of The Ship restaurant at Pertama Complex, while the second package was found inside Wisma Bumi Raya. The detailed location of the third package at the Sogo shopping complex was not specified.
He said that the packages were placed by three individuals donning white skull caps and masks riding a Silver Proton Waja. He added, two individuals who chanced upon them at about 4am later called the police to inform them of the suspicious activities.
Police fingers Bersih
Asked if it was a possibility that the Bersih 2.0 movement were being framed, Amar said that the police is investigating all possibilities.
“There is a high possibility they can be used during the rally. From the surface of it, it will be used by them. We are very worried about what might happen on that day," he said.
Amar refused to confirm if he was referring to Bersih 2.0, but when pressed further, he held up one of the T-shirts and pointed to it.
"It is quite obvious," said Amar without elaborating.
Amar ( right ) said that the police are still working to track down the three suspects and are investigating the case under Section 8 of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.
"We have got the vehicle number but we are investigating further to verify that it is a genuine number. We are also looking into CCTVs to look if we can get any picture of the suspects," he said.
The police is not ruling out the possibility that there may be more of such packages and will comb the area.
Similar weapons found in Selangor
In Selangor, the police seized 20
parang
, 36 petrol bombs and some ball bearings during a raid near a temple at Batu 14, Jalan Gombak Lama last night.
According to Utusan Online , Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said 44 T-shirts with the Bersih 2.0 logo and headbands were found in several bags at the scene.
The police claim that the weapons are related to the Bersih 2.0 rally.
However, it was observed that plastic bottles had been used to make the so-called petrol bombs.
Bersih 2.0 has initially called on the public to join its rally in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday to pressure the government to institute reforms to the electoral system.
Organisers said that their purpose and means were entirely peaceful, but the authorities claim that the rally would lead to unrest and have thus outlawed the event.
However, Malay rights pressure group Perkasa, silat groups and Umno Youth have threatened to hold counter-rallies, raising the possibility of clashes.
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