Malaysian police Tuesday arrested at least four opposition figures to derail a weekend of protest meetings in support of jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim, opposition officials said.
A home ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said three people had been arrested. He said he did not believe the Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial, had been used.
The official called the arrests a "preventative measure" before "Black 14" on April 14 -- the second anniversary of the sentencing of ex-deputy premier Anwar to a six-year jail term for abuse of power.
A fifth senior opposition figure has gone missing, his wife said.
Police were unavailable for comment.
Two of those detained are members of the National Justice Party (Keadilan) headed by Anwar's wife, Keadilan official Ng Lum Yong said.
He named them as Tian Chua, a party vice president, and Keadilan supreme council member Saari Sungib.
Malik Husin and Hishamuddin Rais, both political activists but not Keadilan members, were also held, according to Ng.
He said the four were taken to federal police headquarters but it was unclear why they had been arrested.
Keadilan youth wing leader Ezam Mohamad Noor had gone missing, his wife said.
Bahirah Tajul Aris said her husband failed to board a plane late Tuesday to the northern state of Penang and had not been in contact since.
"He checked in at the airport but did not board. I don't know where he is now and I cannot confirm if he has been arrested," she told AFP.
Chandra Muzaffar, Keadilan deputy president, said opposition supporters were planning a "peaceful assembly" Saturday in front of the office of the human rights commission before handing in a memorandum on Anwar's treatment.
"If the reason for these arrests is this gathering, it shows the government has become really desperate," he told AFP.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad last week accused opposition parties and their "foreign sympathisers" of trying to topple his government through street violence -- KUALA LUMPUR (AFP)
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