9 July 2011 Last updated at 08:18

In pictures: Malaysia reform protests

Malaysian police cordon off a main road in city centre of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 July, 2011

Malaysian police have arrested hundreds of people and cordoned off the centre of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, to try to prevent anti-government activists holding a banned rally demanding voting reform.

A detained Malaysian activist shouts from inside a police van in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 July 2011

More than 440 people were detained as a group calling itself the Bersih 2.0 coalition prepared to hold the rally in the city's Merdeka Stadium.

Malaysian riot police fire tear gas during a rally calling for electoral reforms in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 July 2011

Thousands of riot police, some in trucks mounted with water cannon, stationed themselves near the sports stadium.

A Malaysian activist runs through tear gas fired by riot police in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 July 2011

The Malaysian opposition has accused the authorities of over-reacting, insisting that the demonstration will be peaceful.

Activists carry a Malaysian flag in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 July 2011

Rally organisers say Malaysia's electoral system is plagued with fraud. They want longer campaign periods, automatic voter registration and equality of access to the largely government-linked mainstream media.

Activists march in a rally calling for electoral reforms in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 July, 2011

Despite the police crackdown, thousands of chanting protesters were still trying to reach the stadium from different parts of the capital, where tense stand-offs with police were reported.

Asia-Pacific

In pictures: Malaysia reform protests

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