The London-based human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has warned that there is a risk of further violence in Malaysia if the authorities there do not allow people to protest peacefully.

In a statement, Amnesty said it alsofeared that the Malaysian authorities would try to justify the use of force in order to restrict peaceful protests.

The Amnesty statement follows clashes at the weekend between the police and supporters of the former deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who is in detention awaiting trial for corruption and sexual offences.

Mr Anwar has denied the charges saying they are politically motivated.