A minor altercation broke out this morning between PKR supporters and police who tried to have party vice-president Tian Chua detained prior to charging him with sedition.

NONE The incident took place at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex canteen when Tian Chua ( left in photo ) was having tea with his lawyers and supporters, while awaiting instructions from the court on the move to charge him with the offence.

At 9.45am, some eight police officers showed up and allegedly told Tian Chua to go stay in lock-up before being charged.

Tian Chua's lawyers Latheefa Koya, N Surendran and Eric Paulsen objected to the request.

The incident incensed PKR supporters, who shouted angrily at the police officers.

They said the police were being unfair as Umno leaders and Malay rights group (Perkasa) leaders had not been subjected to such actions in the past.

Ultimately, the police officers retreated after failing to persuade the angry crowd to let them take Tian away.

NONE Johor Baru Selatan crime investigation department’s ASP Wong Chee Mean ( right ) explained to the media that they did not intend to handcuff and put Chua in lock-up, but only to “escort" him to the police room in the complex.

"This is normal procedure, to escort (the suspect) to police's office, the investigating officer (IO) wants to see him," he explained, but adding he had no idea what ASP Zaidi, the IO for the case wanted to speak with Tian Chua about.

"But Tian and his lawyers wouldn't allow it. We spoke politely, but as many spoke rudely (to us), we didn't want provocation, (so we retreated)," he said.

However, Latheefa argued that the move could be perceived as an act to arrest Tian Chua, as confining his movement would constitute arrest.

Tian Chua, she said, has been cooperative with the police and as such the move was meant to embarrass the PKR leader.

While agreeing the police have the discretionery powers to have Tian in the lock-up, Latheefa said this was not necessary and rather extraordinary, as the arrest is normally done to secure a suspect to court for the charge.

And in Tian's situation, Latheefa said, as he was already in the court waiting to be charged, there was no necessity to arrest him.

Latheefa also argued that ministers, spouses of ministers and leaders had been charged in court. Never had these people been arrested while waiting to be charged. As such, arresting Tian would be discriminatory.

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