IGP Khalid: Anti-GST protesters "barbaric"

BUKIT AMAN: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar described as "barbaric" the actions of a group of anti-GST protestors at the Federal Customs headquarters and Kelana Jaya police station on Monday.

"I'm confused, what do these individuals want?

"If they wanted to express their grouses over the implementation of GST or have their questions answered, why the need to break into government offices?" he told reporters after attending prayers in conjunction with Police Day celebrations.

The demonstrators, among them Parti Socialist Malaysia activists, had walked into the Customs headquarters in Kelana Jaya at 11am demanding answers to 106 questions relating to the GST.

They wanted to speak to and hand over a memorandum to the Customs director-general on the tax regime.

Police, along with the FRU, later barricaded the office complex and barred anyone from entering with a group of protesters still inside.

At least 80 people were later taken away in a police truck at the end of the protest.

However, scores of people converged at the Kelana Jaya police station later in the night with the FRU on stand by to control the crowd.

Asked if there was a need for the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) to be deployed at both locations, Khalid said the FRU would be used if there was a need.

"The Selangor police chief has my green light to use the FRU.

"At the moment, let the Selangor police handle this case before action is taken against those who broke the law.

"We will take stern action against them as we can't afford to let this situation continue," he said, adding that the situation at the Customs headquarters and police station were under control.