Federal Territory police chief Zulkefli Abdullah said today there were countless warnings issued to those who participated in today’s rally to disperse, so the police had to make the arrests of the `red-shirts’ after they crowd failed to abide by the order.

selangor protest against syabas 20101205 supporters 02 After they failed to do so at 3.05pm, police had to react in releasing the chemical laced water and tear gas, Zulkefli told a press conference at KL police headquarters this afternoon.

“The red-shirt protesters should have dispersed from the gathering at the National Mosque after the memo had been handed, but they did not do so.

“We had assisted their journey (to the National Palace led by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim) by allowing them to hand over the memorandum .

"However, they did not appreciate this and accused us of taking sides,” added the police chief.

gaps protest 20101205 biker supporters 02 Zulkefli said the `red shirt’ protesters should have followed the example of the anti-Selangor government Gagasan Anti - Penyelewangan Selangor (Gaps) protesters, who had decided to gather and then hand over the memorandum to the Istana Negara without marching.

“That is what (the pro-Selangor rally) should have been done,” added Zulkelfi.

“We had informed Khalid at 10.20am asking him not to march to the Istana Negara. Police has also agreed to give any assistance necessary for them to send the memorandum and not march there,” he said further.

selangor water demo red shirt arrested Zulkefli said at 2.05pm, police had even escorted the Selangor MB and his 10-member delegation to hand over the memorandum to the palace.

Among the 48 picked up by the police included a special officer with the Selangor menteri besar’s office, as well also Kota Damansara state assemblyperson Dr Nasir Hashim.

The aide to Selangor menteri besar, has been identified as Amin Ahmad.

Contrary to reports of a 16-year old being among those arrested, Zulkefli said only adults had been detained.

"The assemblyperson (Nasir) who was arrested this morning has also been released,” he said, adding those arrested were placed at the General Operations Force (GOF) police station in Cheras.

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