The Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall's Youth Section (SCAH Youth) today condemned the police for sealing off its building last night to prevent an anti-ISA campaign, and described the action as being 'over-sensitive' and 'intimidating'.

"The police's action has denied the people's right to freedom of assembly, association and speech," it said in a statement.

"By sealing off a privately-owned building with a massive presence of fully-armed police, the action was over-sensitive and intimidating," it lamented.

According to SCAH Youth, last night's incident was the second time its premises was invaded by the police this year.

On Jan 16, the police cordoned off the historic building and halted a meeting to discuss the government's controversial decision to set up vision schools.

The aborted meeting was attended by hundreds of Chinese civil groups and non-governmental organisations representatives.

Last night, after the building was sealed off, there was a tense three-hour standoff between 300 participants of the anti-ISA meeting and 100 police officers.

When the crowd sought to enter the building at about 8.30pm, 30 riot police from the Federal Reserve Unit used their batons to beat some 10 participants in the bid to drive them back.

The participants eventually dispersed at about 10pm after impromptu speeches were made by key opposition leaders and organisers outside the building.

The aborted meeting was to renew opposition to the Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial, following a landmark Federal Court decision last month which found that the detention of five reformasi activists unlawful.

The 'ISA Mala Fide ' campaign was organised by the Abolish ISA Movement, in which the assembly's Youth and Civil Rights Committee are members.

Respect private property

In its statement, SCAH Youth called on the police to respect private property and complained that the unwarranted action has also disrupted the businesses of shops in and around the building.

The Purple Cane Restaurant, which is located inside the compound of SCAH, was forced to close its doors. In addition, members of the public who intended to attend the assembly hall's regular activities were also barred from entering the building.

When contacted today, SCAH deputy president Tan Yew Seng said last night's incident was "serious and has affected the reputation of the assembly hall".

He said he will raise the matter for discussion at a meeting of the assembly this Friday.

According to a SCAH officer, the police gave notice to the staff who were working in the building at about 4.30pm yesterday, urging them to leave.

According to him, a number of police officers have visited SCAH to obtain details of the 'ISA Mala Fide ' campaign since last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Purple Cane Restaurant who requested anonymity, said it suffered at least RM2,000 in losses due to last night's incident.

When contacted by malaysiakini , the spokesperson said he has received several complaints from customers who were stopped from patronising the restaurant.

"We tried to negotiate with a few police officers, but they insisted on not allowing anyone in," he told.

"This is ridiculous. They did not even bother to tell us what they were doing until we went to talk to them," he added.