Police raided independent punk music venue Rumah Api in Ampang last night and arrested around 100 youths. ― Picture courtesy of Kakiseni

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 ― Around 100 youths were arrested in a surprise raid by the police during a performance last night on independent punk music venue Rumah Api in Ampang, news portal Malaysiakini reported.

It is unsure what the raid was for, although musician and scene veteran Joe Kidd told Malaysiakini he doubted the raid had anything to do with the overnight Bersih 4 rally which kicks off today.

“If [the raid had anything to do with Bersih 4], we would have been in lockups by now,” he said, adding that the raid involved around 30 police officers.

Entertainment portal Kakiseni also reported on its Twitter account that musical equipment were confiscated by the police, and those arrested were told to take urine tests for drugs.

Rumah Api is known as a gathering centre for the straight edge punk subculture, which shuns alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs.

Ahead of Bersih 4, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed had warned against a purported “anarchist” group, whom he said might provoke the police into using force against rally participants.