The police had shown double standards by clamping down on demonstration by supporters of the Selangor government while a rival group was allowed to proceed undisturbed, said PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin.

bukit antarabangsa landslide 071209 zuraida kamaruddin Describing this as the first black mark of the new Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar's tenure, Zuraida ( left ) said that the police were clearly biased in favour of Umno and BN.

"The police acted unfairly. When the Selangor people tried to seek justice, they were obstructed aggressively with water cannons and tear gas, and arrested.

"On the other hand, the Gabungan Anti-Penyelewangan Selangor (Gaps), which clearly showed provocative racist elements, were allowed to hold their gathering," said Zuraida in a statement today.

Zuraida was referring to the 'water rally' organised by the Selangor state government to seek the Agong's intervention in the stalemate over the state's water restructuring plans.

selangor water demo water cannons fire at crowd During the rally, about 2,000 pro-Selangor government protestors donned red and attempted to accompany Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim in a procession from the National Mosque to the Istana Negara.

Khalid was to submit a petition to the King containing the signatures of 250,000 Selangor residents, urging him to step in.

No respect for mosque

However, this protest was met with tear gas and water cannon fire. A total of 52 demonstrators were arrested. Some claim they were assaulted .

A counter-rally was organised by Gaps some distance away. It was attended by about 200 people dressed in black and went on undisturbed by the police.

gaps protest 20101205 show force 02 Gaps also submitted a petition, this time urging the King to act against Khalid for alleged misconduct as menteri besar.

Zuraida also condemned the police for firing tear gas near the vicinity of the mosque.

"The professionalism of the police is further in question because of their disrespectful behaviour.... in continously firing tear gas around the mosque, affecting those who were praying," she said.