In a mark departure from previous rallies, the police have decided not to crack down on the 500-strong crowd gathered outside the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters this evening.

At 5.45pm, the police gave the supporters of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim 20 minutes to disperse. But when the deadline ended, no action was taken against them.

anwar ibrahim arrest 160708 18 An hour later, another ultimatum was given, and this led to negotiations between the police and Batu parliamentarian Tian Chua, who is also PKR information chief.

Both sides agreed that the illegal demonstration could proceed so long as the protestors behaved themselves.

Two water-cannon trucks and four truck-loads of about 100 Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) riot police have been deployed in the area to keep an eye on the crowd.

anwar ibrahim arrest 160708 05 The protestors began gathering in Jalan Hang Tuah outside the police headquarters from 1.30pm to condemn the arrest of Anwar.

The police subsequently sealed off the busy road, leading to a massive traffic jam.

Earlier, supporters chanted ‘reformasi’, holding up placards spelling bantah tangkapan Anwar (oppose Anwar’s arrest) and getting passing motorists to honk in support.

A large number of foreign journalists were among those covering the event.

anwar ibrahim arrest 160708 21 Anwar was arrested at his Bukit Segambut house about 1pm, after giving his statement to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in Putrajaya this morning.

He was called for questioning by the ACA in relation to his police report alleging fabrication of evidence regarding his 'black eye' incident in 1999.

Supporters told to remain calm

PKR has issued an immediate call for its supporters to rally outside the police headquarters where Anwar was taken.

Anwar has earlier dismissed the sodomy accusations as a conspiracy to prevent him from seizing power, and said it was a re-run of events a decade ago when he was slapped with charges widely seen as politically motivated.

anwar ibrahim arrest 160708 19 The allegations were levelled by Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a 23-year-old who was a staff in Anwar's office.

"There's no basis for this whole fabrication and malicious attacks. It is just a repeat of the 1998 script. You can see the pattern," Anwar told reporters this morning. "I will challenge them on every ground."

Anwar's downfall a decade ago triggered massive protests in a reformasi movement that continues to reverberate in Malaysian politics.

anwar ibrahim arrest 160708 22 PKR said it would ensure that the gathering outside police headquarters remained calm as there were concerns the government was planning to launch a crackdown including further arrests of opposition leaders.

"There's a possibility that they would like to provoke so they can justify a much wider crackdown against the democratic movement in Malaysia," said Chua.

At about 9pm, the police detained a female protestor following a shouting match and minor scuffle between the police and protestors.

anwar supporter arrested at police ipk kl 170708 The woman, Norazimah Mohd Nor, was physically dragged away by about seven police officers after she apparently refused to stand behind the yellow tape put up by the police.

Tension increased a notch when Norazimah called the police "stupid" and she was joined by fellow protestors. However, calm was restored soon after.

The police subsequently ordered the protestors to restrict their activity to the sidewalk.

PHOTO GALLERY - From ACA to IPK