Former Malaysian Dy PM detained a KLIA

Singapore, Dec 11 (UNI) Former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said he was detained for an hour today at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on his return from Turkey.

''I was detained by immigration officials at KLIA this morning and wish to state that the authorities have placed my name on a 'suspect blacklist', Mr Ibrahim was quoted as saying by local media today.

He alleged that it was a continuing harassment of the opposition leaders as the government wants to deflect from the core issue of endemic corruption, high crime rate and the poor performance of the economy.

Meanwhile, nearly 30 people were also arrested for carrying out a protest march to the Parliament to hand a petition for campaign Bersih, a coalition for clean and fair general election, widely expected next year, the reports said.

About 400 policemen were posted in and around the parliament today to block the protestors.

Mr Anwar's Party Keadilan Rakyat, headed by his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, is a potential opposition in Malaysia, along with Islamic party, PAS, and a multi-ethnic Democratic Action Party.

Kuala Lumpur has been hit by protests, including a rally by ethnic Indians and members of the Hindu Rights Action Force.

The opposition parties are seeking free and fair general elections, while the ethnic Indians are seeking better opportunities in the booming Malaysian economy, led by the indigenous Malays or Bumiputras, largely members of the leading ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation in the national front coalition.

UNI