Small-scale protest as Olympic torch travels through Malaysia
A number of people were arrested in Kuala Lumpur
Monday, 21, Apr 2008 01:28
The Olympic torch has travelled through Malaysia today, with only a few small-scale protests being reported.
The torch's 16.5 kilometres route was lined with riot police as the flame made its way through the Asian nation before finishing outside the famous Petronas Twin Towers.
Reports claim over 1,000 police and security forces were deployed to prevent any repeat of the scenes experienced in London, Paris and San Francisco where pro-Tibetan demonstrators staged large-scale protests.
Demonstrators worldwide are using the torch's passage through 22 countries, from Athens to Beijing, as an opportunity to protest against China's human rights record and its handling of recent uprisings in Tibet.
The only incident of any note today was when police in Kuala Lumpur arrested a Japanese family of three, a Buddhist monk and a British woman.
The family had attempted to unfurl a Tibetan flag before the start of the torch's relay but were quickly confronted by pro-Chinese supporters.
Authorities maintained the relay had been a success.
"It is a festive atmosphere here... and shows the good relationship we have with Beijing," Olympic Committee of Malaysia president Imran Jaafar said.
The Olympic torch will now head to Indonesia, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam before making its way to Beijing for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics on August 8th.