KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19: Hundreds of activists took to the streets here on Wednesday to assert their right to protest following a recent crackdown on public demonstrations that led to dozens of arrests.

Police used tear gas and water cannon and detained opposition leaders, on charges including illegal assembly and sedition after several banned street rallies infuriated the government last month.

Five leaders of an ethnic Indian rights group Hindraf, that led some of the street demonstrations, are being held under Malaysia’s tough Internal Security Act which allows indefinite detention without trial.

—AFP