According to the report by the Dang Wangi police authorities, two taxis were seized as well for obstructing the road.
“Dang Wangi district police deputy chief Supt Habibi Majinji had tried but failed to negotiate with the taxi drivers’ representative,” read the official statement.
“At about 11.45 am, the taxi drivers were ordered to disperse in 15 minutes or have action taken against them,” read the police report.
However, a number of the drivers remained in defiance of police orders. The five men, aged 30 to 50 years old, were arrested for obstructing police officers in their line of duty.
The protest began at 10.00 am, with the group of taxi drivers gathering at Jalan Ampang and moving on to Jalan Bukit Bintang.
By 10.20 am., the whole stretch of Jalan Bukit Bintang was blocked as the drivers had parked around 100 taxis along the road.
All traffic turning into Jalan Bukit Bintang had to be redirected by KL traffic police to avoid the public being stuck in the growing traffic mire.
Jalan Bukit Bintang was reopened at 12.30 pm.