Five people were arrested today for taking part in an anti-toll hike protest outside the Summit USJ shopping mall in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

The arrest took place when demonstrators regrouped after heeding an earlier call by protest organisers to disperse after repeated police warnings.

The five arrested were Khairul Anwar, Chan Chee Kong, Saari Sungip, Noor Sairi and Norazimah Mohd Nor ( photo ), who were detained at the Subang district police headquarters.

They were all however released on police bail by 9pm, with instructions to report back on April 18.

During the course of the arrest, many protesters retreated into the shopping centre and about 30 of them staged a sit-in. The sit-in protesters were later also asked to disperse and were followed around the complex by the police.

In the process, a martial arts competition held at the ground floor of the shopping centre was disrupted while several shops were seen drawing their shutters.

Traffic along the busy Jalan Kewajipan outside the shopping centre came to a crawl as police blocked one lane, despite the protesters being confined to the shopping complex entrance.

The anti-toll demonstration was organised by Protes which is made up of opposition parties, trade unions, civil society and student groups. Leaflets on the toll hike were also distributed to the public.

New 'strategy'

Addressing protesters the start of the demonstration at about 4pm, Protes spokesperson Tian Chua told the crowd that monthly protests against the toll-hike and the non-disclosure of toll concession agreements would continue until the government responds.

Soon after, several police cars parked nearby simultaneously blared their sirens, drowning the voices of opposition and NGO leaders who were addressing the crowd.

Quizzed about the use of the sirens, Subang Jaya district police chief Supt Jaafar Md Said that it was his 'strategy' but did not elaborate.

Chua chided the police over the move, which he considered a partisan stand and unprofessional.

"The police wanted to prevent people from hearing what we needed to say. They were taking a position on social issues. Their job is to maintain the peace, not obstructing our gathering," said Chua when met after the protest.

On the disruption of business activities and the martial arts competition, Chua disclaimed any responsibility on part of the protest organisers.

"The heavy presence of the police created fear on the management (of the shopping complex). We were outside giving speeches (at the entrance). We told the police that we will only be there for an hour, but they forced us in (during the wave of arrest)," he said.

Another protest next month

The next protest is slated for April 22 at the Cheras Leisure Mall.

Today's protest was the fifth of its kind. Two of the previous four protests were marred by arrests and allegations of police abuse.

Subang Jaya was chosen as a venue of protest today as this township and the surrounding suburbs are among the areas affected by the toll hikes as it is connected to the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) and Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas) where toll rates were increased 60 percent and 47 percent respectively.

Calls for the disclosure of concession agreements have been mounting since the sharp hike in toll charges involving five major highways in the Klang Valley on Jan 1.

Two leaked concession agreements pertaining to the LDP and Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel project ( Smart ), have suggested that the government signed lop-sided agreements which guaranteed profits to concessionaires while burdening road users.

In response to the pressure, the government has agreed to reveal the secret agreements after consulting the concessionaires.

Watch the five-minute video here.