Tear gas for 25,000-strong Malay fair vote rally

Police in Kuala Lumpur used tear gas grenades and chemical-laced water to break up what they say was a 25,000-strong demonstration for electoral reform in Malaysia. The mass rallies in the capital were the country’s largest in a decade.

For several hours, the demo remained peaceful, with demonstrators waving banners, chanting slogans and singing the national anthem. Protesters dressed in yellow T-shirts reportedly made an attempt to access Independence Square, but were stopped by riot police and barbed wire. Authorities announced that demonstrators had no right to rally in the public square, reserved for military parades and national celebrations.