KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of Rohingyas refugees turned up here at the city centre to protest against atrocities on Rohingyas in Rakhine state in Myanmar.
Numbering some 1,500 people, they converged as early as 8am in front of the Myanmar Embassy located along Jalan Ampang Hilir at Taman U Thant, to hand over a memorandum protesting against the atrocities and killing of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
It is learned that they came from all over the country after learning about the rally organised by Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) and Pas Humanitarian Affair & Relief Centre (PasRelief).
However, what was supposed to be a peaceful rally turned into chaos when the group marched towards the intersection of Jalan Tun Razak and near the Ampang Park.
They were heard chanting "Allahuakhbar" (God is Great) and their gathering also caused a traffic crawl on the both sides of Jalan Ampang at about 11am.
The Police's Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) which was present had asked the protesters to disperse peacefully but they refused to do so. This prompted police to round some of errant individuals.
City police chief Datuk Amar Singh said police arrested 44 protesters at the rally.
He said after handing over the memorandum, the protesters still gathered around and some acted aggressively, forcing the FRU to detain them
"The protesters got a bit aggressive as police instructed them to disperse. We will make more arrest on the protesters as we investigate the incident," he said.
Amar said the rally was deemed illegal under the Peaceful Assembly Act as foreigners are not allowed to assemble in such nature.
The protesters eventually dispersed at about 12.30pm.