Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung denied knowledge of the 30 reports lodged in several states against Dang Wangi district police chief Bakri Zinin for disrupting a May Day celebration which resulted in the arrest of 17 people.

Chor said he merely knew about the arrest of the 17 participants who were on their way to Kuala Lumpur City Centre, where several events espousing workers' rights were supposed to take place.

"Let me look into the reports first and then I will make my comments," he told malaysiakini today. Chor is currently in Penang for a conference.

Yesterday malaysiakini reported that a total of 30 reports were lodged in several states against Bakri for 'manhandling' the participants during the peace walk leading to their arrests.

The participants who came from Selangor, Perak and Johor lodged the report to refute Bakri's claim that they were 'tricked' by the organisers into attending the May Day event.

They also wanted to set the record straight that they did not attack the police as claimed by Bakri.

About 150 people had turned up for the May Day celebration that was to start with a walk from Chow Kit Road, ending at Kuala Lumpur City Centre where some 1,500 people were expected to take part in various activities.

Event aborted

However, the event was aborted when police unexpectedly charged at the crowd and made several arrests.

Last week, a total of 12 reports, including one from a journalist, were lodged against Bakri for allegedly 'manhandling' participants during the peace walk.

The bail period for the 17 individuals will expire on May 16. However, it is uncertain if the police intend to press any formal charges against them.

Among those arrested with were PSM pro-tem president Dr Nasir Mohd Hashim, central executive member Dr D Jeyakumar, secretary-general and Suaram coordinator S Arutchelvam, Community Development Centre members V Selvam 41, Sevan Doraisamy, 24, and two female social activists Lee Siew Hwa, 33, and R Manoharani, 46.

When contacted, a Bukit Aman spokesperson declined to comment beyond saying the matter was under the Kuala Lumpur Crime and Investigation Department. The CID chief could not be reached for comment.