S Bala went looking for his client who was arrested during a raid at a restaurant earlier in the night. But what the lawyer had not expected, was to land in detention himself.

Bala's April 18 ordeal began when we went to the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters after being informed of the arrest.

There, he was supposedly given the run-around for about two-hours before finally being told the name of the police officer who led the raid.

After this, the 34-year-old lawyer claimed he was harassed by two plainclothes policemen who refused to allow him to meet the officer.

When he persisted, the policemen purportedly grew annoyed and began to shove him about. An irate Bala then responded: "There is no need to be kurang ajar (rude)".

Realising that he was getting no where, Bala proceeded to leave the police headquarters but was arrested by another plainclothes policeman and detained in the operation room for three hours.

Contacted today, the lawyer, who has been practicing for nine years, said he was more upset with the police withholding information regarding his client compared to his detention.

"I am not against the entire force but just a few police officers. The police should learn to allow lawyers to serve their clients without fear or favour and be more transparent," he added

It is learnt that Bala had lodged a police report over the matter.

Bad precedent

The incident had enraged his peers, leading some 40 lawyers to stage a protest outside the police headquarters this morning.

Under the watchful eyes of five Light Strike Force personnel, the lawyers argued with police officers to be allowed to meet district police chief Mohd Hazam Abd Halim.

However, the police officers remained adamant and the lawyers handed a protest note to a representative.

Contacted later, Mohd Hazam declined comment.

Met at the scene, Bar Council representative George Varughese said the council is urging for an independent inquiry on the matter.

Meanwhile, lawyer N Surendren warned that the incident would set a bad precedent resulting in more lawyers being obstructed from dispensing their duties.

"If a lawyer can be treated like (Bala), then no Malaysian citizen can be safe as lawyers would not be able to do their job," he said.

Another lawyer R Sivarasa said that the reluctance of Mohd Hazam to meet the group showed that the police were not interested in investigating complaints against members of the force.

The media was also barred from entering the police headquarters.