Rafizi steps in to defuse chaos as 'Tangkap Azam Baki' rally turns tense on Jalan TAR
Police attempted to tow two vehicles belonging to the rally secretariat, triggering chaos and a shoving match.
MUHAMMAD AFHAM RAMLI MUHAMMAD AMINNURALIFF MOHD ZOKI
KUALA LUMPUR - Chaos broke out along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman on Saturday when the 'Tangkap Azam Baki' rally participants allegedly blocked police from towing two vehicles belonging to the rally secretariat, triggering a tense shoving match between both sides.
The incident occurred near a traffic light junction leading to Dataran Merdeka, as police carried out enforcement action against the vehicles.
The situation turned tense when participants moved to obstruct authorities from towing the vehicles, resulting in pushing and shoving between the crowd and police personnel on duty.
Pandan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli stepped in to defuse the situation, approaching police officers at the scene.
He is understood to have sought a meeting with the Dang Wangi district police chief to request an extension of the speeches and to ask that the secretariat's vehicles not be towed.
Tensions flared again, however, when participants — believing Rafizi was about to be arrested — began acting aggressively.
Several individuals blocked the police from approaching him, triggering a more serious confrontation.
As Rafizi was escorted across the road towards Dataran Merdeka, the atmosphere grew increasingly unruly with shoving continuing between both sides.
He soon stepped forward again to calm the crowd, urging participants to return to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman before holding further discussions with the district police chief to ease tensions.
Addressing the crowd, Rafizi announced that the secretariat had been given until 5.40pm to conclude speeches before dispersing peacefully.
He also explained that police feared a repeat of the fireworks explosion near a shopping complex that had occurred earlier in the day, adding that authorities are investigating to identify those responsible for setting off the fireworks in what he described as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the rally.
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