KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A huge security clampdown in the city put a stop to a march by anti-ISA protesters to the Istana Negara to present a memorandum to the Yang diPertuan Agong.

Federal Reserve Unit personnel (FRU) fired water cannons and tear gas at protesters who gathered near Masjid Negara, at Jalan Kinabalu, Jalan Masjid India, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Hang Kasturi.

The Sogo shopping complex was shut down for several hours at the request of police to prevent untoward incidents as protesters marched outside.

Shopkeepers were left fuming as they had to close for business due to the chaotic situation. The protesters had planned to gather at several areas at 2pm and march to Istana Negara.

At Masjid Negara, the protesters, who were mostly attired in red, black and green T-shirts, were stopped by police after marching for over 500m.

FRU men used shields and barricades to counter the protesters, and used their trucks to block the path.

At this point, police used loudhailers ordering protesters to disperse.

When the protesters ignored repeated warnings and pushed ahead, police sprayed them with water cannons and fired tear gas.

A "cat and mouse" game began as the protesters tried to use other routes to regroup, but the heavy police presence put paid to their plans.

The police also used helicopters to provide overhead surveillance throughout the chaotic period.

Another large group of protesters who waited outside the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut to wait for Pakatan Rakyat leaders were also sprayed with water cannons after they failed to disperse. All roads leading to Istana Negara were closed, with hundreds of policemen stationed outside the palace to keep guard.

A "rival" group of ISA supporters, calling themselves Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris), gathered at Padang Merbok near Jalan Parlimen.

They were also prevented from carrying out their plan to march to the palace to hand over a memorandum in support of the ISA.

They called off their march at about 2pm after heeding police advice.

Despite earlier fears, there was no confrontation between both groups of protesters. By 6.30pm, the situation returned to normal as the protest thinned out. -The Star/ANN