Malaysian police have arrested more than 1600 people and used tear gas amid a massive lockdown in the capital Kuala Lumper to thwart an opposition-backed rally.
Police blocked major roads and suspended public transport from midnight on Friday in an attempt to prevent the rally, which was calling for the government of Najib Razak to implement electoral reform, but thousands managed to slip through the security net.
About 1500 people, many of them shouting Reforms - and God is Great - marched towards a mosque near the downtown Merdeka Square.
Riot police armed with batons confronted the thousands who slipped through the security net, dispersing them with volleys of tear gas.
At least a dozen people were hurt, including the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim who fell to the pavement after a tear gas attack.
He accused the police of aiming the tear gas directly at protestors and said some had been aimed at him personally.
Officials say at least three senior opposition leaders were among those detained.
The BBC reports that a group calling itself the Bersih 2.0 coalition had been planning to hold the rally in a sports stadium but the government said the location was unsuitable and instead suggested a venue outside of the capital.
The demonstration came amid a police crackdown on opposition figures.
Police have questioned more than 150 activists in recent weeks and 91 have been barred from the city.
More than 30 activists remain in detention after being arrested almost two weeks ago.
Rally organisers say Malaysia's electoral system is plagued with fraud - they want longer campaign periods, automatic voter registration and equality of access to the largely government-linked mainstream media.
The authorities say the protesters are trying to promote communist ideology, thereby "waging war against the king".
