The police detained 82 Burmese nationals for staging a protest outside the South Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

The group had gathered at about 10.30am to protest against South Korean company Daewoo International's plans for gas exploration and exploitation off the coast of Arakan in Burma.

The protestors, part of a simultaneous protest organised in 20 countries, were carrying placards and banners.

Some 25 police personnel from the Cheras district police headquarters were present, led by Pudu station chief Mohd Asri Mohd Yunus.

Asri initially gave the group 15 minutes to disperse after accompanying Arakan League for Democracy's Malaysian chapter secretary Aung Lwin to submit a memorandum to an embassy official.

Democracy activists fear that Daewoo's investment - projected to become the largest source of revenue for the Burmese military junta yet - "will bring about human rights violations and environmental degradation and further entrench the Burmese military regime".

Aung claimed that nine villages in Arakan had already been forcibly removed to make way for the pipeline.

"The (targeted) area is very large. About 100 villages may be affected by project," Aung told reporters.

Investigations begin

Less than five minutes after Aung returned to the group, the group was ordered to end the protest immediately and to disperse. At the time, they were still shouting "Daewoo Daewoo! go away!".

Obeying, they walked some 100m away to wait for transport. Moments after they reached the main road, Jalan Ampang, Asri suddenly directed the protestors to climb into a police truck that was waiting nearby.

More than 50 protestors, many of whom misunderstood the intentions of the police, climbed willingly into the truck while others, including Aung, entered police cars.

So many had started piling into the vehicle that Asri - afraid some would fall out during the trip to Pudu - told them to stop.

They were later taken to the Pudu police station in Jalan Hang Tuah.

Cheras district police chief Hasnan Hasan said the protestors were arrested under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act 1967 for assembling without a permit.

"Investigations are also underway to determine if there has been any violation pertaining to (immigration) documents," said Hasnan when contacted.