Chaos and eggs as gathering at Federal Court turns ugly

Anwar Ibrahim's supporters pull a barricade surrounding the Federal Court in Putrajaya while policemen try to keep it from falling. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, October 29, 2014.The peaceful gathering of supporters of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya turned ugly for a while this afternoon after several eggs were thrown at police who were guarding the barricaded court complex.

It is understood that a verbal disagreement between the police and several people from the crowd suddenly took a turn for the worse when two supporters were seen pelting the police with eggs.

Several police personnel and reporters nearby were hit by them.

A group of people then tried to break past the barricade into the courthouse around 2.20pm but were stopped by police.

Police then began to stand on guard following the incident with the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) standing by.

It is understood that the initial argument occurred after the supporters asked police to allow them to take shelter under a huge tent that was erected along the road in front of the court, as it was about to rain.

Although refusing at first, after negotiations with several Pakatan Rakyat leaders, police allowed the supporters to gather under the tent, just as it began to pour.

However, Putrajaya district police chief ACP Abdul Razak Abdul Majid told reporters that the 100m-long tent that was set up in front of the courthouse did not belong to the police or other enforcement agencies.

Instead, he said the tent was set up for a function scheduled for November 8 and 9.

Abdul Razak said that is why the police had no authority to give permission for the supporters to use the tent as they would not want to take responsibility should any untoward incident take place.

- TMI