Police fire tear gas on protesters

Police unleashed tear gas and chemical-laced water today at thousands of demonstrators who staged one of Malaysia's largest street rallies in years, demanding fair rules for national elections expected soon. At least 25,000 demonstrators swamped Malaysia's largest city, hoping to pressure Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition - which has held power for nearly 55 years - to overhaul electoral policies before polls that could be held as early as June. Authorities insist the elections will be free and fair, rejecting activists' claims that the election commission is biased and that voter registration lists are tainted with fraudulent names. Demonstrators wearing yellow T-shirts, waving banners and chanting slogans poured into central Kuala Lumpur, massing near a public square that police had sealed off with barbed wire and barricades. "I'm here because I'm a Malaysian and I love my country," said information technology manager Burrd Lim. "There's no election that's perfect, but I want one that's fair enough." Authorities had refused to allow an opposition-backed pressure group that organised the rally to use Independence Square, a nationally renowned venue that...