Police detain another Anwar supporter

"It was the people’s victory over the culture of fear imposed by the security forces," he told reporters earlier. "If necessary, we will take to the streets (again)."

Tian was among four Keadilan leaders who were ordered on Friday to report to police or face arrest. Police already detained three Keadilan members on Friday in a preemptive strike to block the rally.

Fourty-eight people were detained on Saturday for illegal assembly, verbally abusing police and carrying anti-government pamphlets.

Leaders of the Opposition Alternative Front alliance condemned the police’s "fear tactics" to block the peaceful gathering and called for the immediate release of all the detainees.

Keadilan Deputy President Chandra Muzaffar slammed the authorities’ "heavy-handed tactic" to crush the proposed gathering, describing it as a "concerted attempt to marginalise Anwar".

He said the clampdown was also part of a "continuing pattern to tighten the screw" on Opposition parties.