The 25 protesters arrested yesterday for ‘occupying’ the Pahang Menteri Besar's Office in Kuantan were expected to be charged today, but were later released on police bail.

Pahang Bar Committee member Hon Kai Ping, who is representing all the detainees, said the group have been waiting to be charged at the Kuantan High Court since 9am today.

“We were informed by the deputy public prosecutor’s office that they are waiting for the clearance from Kuala Lumpur to charge them. We have been waiting since morning but there hasn’t been any decision yet,” he said.

NONE However, the charges never came and the 24-hour police detention period expired at 4pm.

 “All of them have been released on police bail until July 31. They were not charged,” said Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S Arutchelvan.

The group, led by Cameron Highlands PSM chief B Suresh Kumar, were attempting to hand over a memorandum to Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob yesterday on land and welfare issues they faced.

When requests for an appointment with the menteri besar were refused, the group resorted to ‘occupying’ the premise.

Police then arrested 31 protesters after they had refused to dispersed, but soon released all six protesters who were children.