Petaling Street, popularly known as Chinatown, turned into a hotspot on Wednesday when 800-strong red shirt protesters, who insisted on marching through the area, clashed with police.

The police, backed by a team of Federal Reserve Unit, blocked the red shirts at the entrance of the street, and water cannons were eventually used to disperse the rowdy protesters.

Following the Malaysia Day four-hour stand-off, red shirts' spokesperson Jamal Md Yunos demanded the street be opened to Malay traders.

"Most of the stalls here are started by Chinese traders who have worked hard for many years to make a living," said Low Chee Hong, 49, a souvenir stall owner told Malaysiakini ...