Pedestrians pass barbed wire in Malaysia's capital - the remains of a barrier erected to block anti-government protesters.<br/> <br />The streets of Kuala Lampur are quiet after at least 25,000 people faced tear gas and water cannons to demand electoral reforms Saturday.<br/> <br />There were no deaths reported, but the unrest may delay the country's polls, which must be called before next March.<br/> <br />A panel of independent foreign observers called the electoral system "backwards", and said meetings with Malaysian officials revealed concerning attitudes.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, CLINTON FERNANDES, SAYING:<br/> <br />"In our meeting with the secretary general of the Union of Malays National Organization who is also the secretary general of Barisan Nasional he stated, and I quote: 'the importance of avoiding racial strife -- are our people ready for mature freedom', commenting on political developments in Indonesia he offered the view: 'one of the problems in Indonesia is there is too much freedom', Unquote. It is a view not only of myself but my distinguished colleagues in the group that these comments are disturbing and they reflect authoritarian attitudes at the highest levels of power,"<br/> <br />An Australian panel member was surprised at the lack of free press.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) INDEPENDENT SENATOR OF ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, NICK XENOPHON, SAYING:<br/> <br />"It is just incredible that last night when I saw the news following the demonstration following the tear gassing of tens of thousands of demonstrators and I happen to be caught up in that there was no coverage of that in the official media."<br/> <br />Some put protester numbers at 50,000, which would make it Malaysia's largest political demonstration in more than a decade.<br/> <br />Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
