BUTTERWORTH: A group of PKR members who were about to do a “welcoming” flash mob for Prime Minister Najib Razak outside Politeknik Seberang Perai (PSP) were detained by police today.

Policemen intercepted the group as they were on their way to a Petronas station at Jalan Permatang Pauh, where they had planned to hold their protest.

It is learnt that five Penang PKR Youth members were among the large group detained.

At the time of writing, Seberang Perai Municipal Councillor Ong Jing Chen and PKR Youth member Fahmi Zainol were taken to the Bukit Mertajam police headquarters at Bandar Perda.

According to PKR’s flyers on the flash mob, it was to demand Najib release PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim who is currently in jail for sodomising his aide.

Najib is in Penang today to attend several events, one of which includes a Malaysia Book of Records event in which a large group of people will be sitting on the floor with their legs crossed, as they have lunch with the prime minister.

Later in the day, Najib is expected to reveal a blueprint for the northern region, where some 80 projects are expected to be revealed.

Meanwhile, PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin condemned the detention of party members who were merely exercising their right to assembly under the Federal Constitution.

“I urge the police to release them at once.

“PKR members from all wings will be at the district police headquarters to demand their release,” he said when contacted.

FMT has contacted Central Seberang Prai police chief ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid and is waiting for a reply on the arrests.