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The 67-year-old 'Auntie Bersih' and 31 other activists who were arrested in front of Parliament yesterday were released early this morning.

NONE The sexagenarian activist, whose real name is Annie Ooi ( right ), and other social and student activists had been detained for more than 12 hours at the police's detention centre in Jinjang.

Among those that were released include Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, or Chegubard, and student activists Adam Adli Abdul Halim, Muhammad Safwan Anang and Ekhsan Bukharee.

Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director E Nalini said they were freed in stages beginning at 12am today. All were freed by 2.15am.

However, Nalini said it remains unclear whether they would be charged.

"The police have not informed us whether they intend to press charges," she told Malaysiakini when contacted.

The group had protested outside Parliament yesterday as the house convened for the first time since last month's disputed general election.

NONE The situation became tense as some protesters attempted to breach the cordon into Parliament while their leaders were negotiating to submit a memorandum to the MPs that were being sworn in.

The police in a statement yesterday said the matter was being investigated under Section 147 and Section 353 of the Penal Code which involves rioting and using criminal force on a public servant in the line of duty.

The matter was also being investigated under Section 9(5) of the Section 4(2) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for participating in a rally without notice and having a march without a notice.

PKR: Don’t charge them

Meanwhile, in a statement today, PKR condemned the arrest of the activists, describing it as “unjust”.

“The activists were there to express their concern about the crippled democratic institutions in this country.

“The right to gather peacefully is guaranteed under the constitution,” said PKR communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

He also urged the government and police to drop any possible charges against the activists and cease selective prosecution.