Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon to end the rally on Saturday (9 / 7) which requires a change election and arrested more than 1,600 people. One demonstrator was killed in this riot.
"We will continue to side with the people's right to freely express their democratic aspirations and their views freely," said Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mark Toner, Wednesday (13 / 7). "We will continue to monitor the situation closely."
Malaysia promised to investigate allegations of police brutality, while Prime Minister Najib Razak defended the police. Najib said the protest was a tactic to tarnish the image of the country.
The group Human Rights (HAM) International condemned the crackdown against the demonstrators and urged the U.S. and other countries to pressure Malaysia to ensure accountability.
Malaysia has sought to build closer ties with the U.S. in the middle of the administration of President Barack Obama's efforts to reach out to Southeast Asia. Malaysia and the U.S. has long been a major trading partners, but the troubling political relations, especially along the 22-year leadership of Mahathir Mohamad.
The U.S. is also concerned about the treatment of Anwar Ibrahim's opposition, the leader who spent six years in prison and again tried for sodomy. Anwar said the allegations against him are politically motivated.