Two separate police reports were lodged after a botched demonstration by DAP Selangor in front of Port Klang assemblyperson Zakaria Deros illegal mansion in Pandamaran, Port Klang yesterday morning.

According to eyewitnesses, a mob of about 20 people clad in sunglasses confronted about 100 demonstrators led by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. The protest turned physical after a shouting match.

DAP Selangor vice-chief S Selvadurai in his police report claimed that he was punched by some of the mob members - believed to be Zakaria's supporters.

They were also seen brandishing steel pipes, but Selvadurai did not specify in his report if they used them on him.

In another police report, DAP Klang Pasar Besar branch chairperson Peter Tan claimed that the loudspeaker on a party-owned van was vandalised. The vehicle was parked in the area.

Both reports were lodged at the Pandamaran police station shortly after the incidents yesterday.

Second protest

This was the second protest initiated by the DAP in recent days. On Saturday, a similar protest was organised by the DAP Klang liason committee headed by Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Teng Chang Kim.

Although it went on without any incidents, some of Sunday's mob members were also spotted verbally harassing protestors at the Saturday event.

The drama on Sunday morning unfolded when the DAP Selangor delegation, accompanied by several Parti Keadilan Rakyat members, starting chanting slogans and unfurling banners denouncing Zakaria.

Almost immediately, they were confronted by the mob ( photo ) and an argument ensued.

Things took a turn for the worse when Lim arrived and began to address the crowd. The mob began shoving the crowd, prompting DAP supporters to form a human shield around Lim.

Eventually, the demonstrators were forced to retreat to an area outside the main entrance of Kampung Idaman, where Zakaria's mansion is located.

Things turn racial

Parti Keadilan Rakyat Selangor vice-chief Khairul Anuar Zainudin, who was at the demonstration, claimed racial slurs were made the mob, as most of the protestors where ethnic Chinese.

"They played up racial sentiments. They were shouting ' Cina balik! ' (Chinese get out!), ' Kalau kamu mahu Mei 13, saya hari ini boleh bagi kau ' (If you want May 13, I can give it to you today)" said Khairul when contacted.

Two other eye-witnesses confirmed that such words were used by the group which backed Zakaria.

Khairul claimed he learned that these people were not from Kampung Idaman, which is itself a lower-income multicultural village.

Both the protests called for Zakaria's sprawling 17-room mansion, built without accordance to the law, to be demolished.

Residents in the area are also believed to be peeved on the seemingly double standards being practiced by the authorities, who tear down squatter houses but left Zakaria's illegal building untouched.

Zakaria who is also Klang municipal councillor, has been given up to Nov 8 to resign from the post.