About 50 people held a candlelight vigil last night outside the Ampang Jaya district police headquarters where Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief Tian Chua is being held in connection with attempted murder.

The group, comprising party members and activists, chanted Reformasi and Hidup Tian Chua during the one and half hour vigil which started at 9 pm.

Tian Chua was among those arrested for trying to stop the demolition of squatter houses in Kampung Berembang in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

It was alleged that he had driven his vehicle through a zinc gateway set up by the developer to cordon off the area. It is believed that workers were near the gateway at the time.

One of the workers later lodged a police report and the case was classified as attempted murder under Section 307 of the Penal Code.

Outrageous charge

"The charge is outrageous. This is not logical. It is as though the police are acting in behalf of the developer," said human rights activist Nasir Isa when met last night.

"He [Tian Chua] was not carrying a M-16 or grenades. He was not carrying a sharp object, with the intent to kill. If they charge him, it should be for obstruction justice, not attempted murder," said another supporter who declined to be named.

PKR Bukit Bintang chief Puspa Limgam said it is unclear if the police would charge the opposition leader.

"We are trying to obtain as much information as we can. But the police have been very uncooperative," he added.

Tian Chua was today remanded for two days for further investigations.