Attempts by persons suspected to be police personnel to confiscate Bersih T-shirts nearly led to a fracas at a PAS-organised ceramah tonight, but was thwarted by angry Pakatan Rakyat supporters.

NONE The incident occurred around 9.30pm in the midst of speeches by Opposition figures at the Melawati Stadium in Shah Alam when a number of persons in plainclothes but believed to be police officers tried to seize the yellow-coloured Bersih T-shirts that traders were selling at one of the entrances to the stadium.

In the ensuing tussle, voices were raised and caught the attention of the crowd of Pakatan supporters coming through the area.  About 100 of them immediately gathered to prevent the confiscation of the items.

NONE They also succeeded in shoving the individuals concerned out of the venue, with one voice heard shouting: “Don’t let them inside!”

Two police vans were seen parked just outside the venue with their lights still on, as ten uniformed policemen loitered outside the entrance of the stadium.

The incident was over in ten minutes after the crowd that had gathered returned into the stadium to hear the remaining speeches being made.

About 25 of PAS ‘Unit Amal’ members were on hand to ensure Pakatan supporters - undoubtedly already angry at the scores of arrests of those found wearing Bersih T-shirts - did not act out of hand.  

NONE Following the episode, those selling Bersih paraphernalia were seen ‘direct-selling’ their ware in the safety of the grandstands in the stadium, where about 3,000 Pakatan supporters were in attendance. 

Among the notable Opposition leaders who spoke at tonight’s event were PAS' Shah Alam parliamentarian Khalid Samad and party deputy-president Mohamad Sabu.

Prayers had earlier been held on the grounds of the stadium. 

PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan and newly-appointed Selangor commissioner Dr Abdul Rani Othman also addressed the gathering.