Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan has stated that Police have made use of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) in the past. 

Ihusan posted on X stating that Police used LRADs for the first time in 2013. He also stated that the LRAD 300X was the model that was used, with the device attached to Police vehicles for special operations.

Ihusan went on to say that the LRAD 100X was the model that was used to disperse the MDP rally that was held on Friday, with the model being used in May 2023 for the first time in Police operations.

Ihusan said that LRADs are used in over 100 countries, with it being used by public safety agencies, military bodies and law enforcement agencies in the following:

The Police have drawn widespread criticism from the public due to their use of the sonic weapon in dispersing MDP's Friday night rally. 

LRADs are specialized loudspeakers that project sound in a focused beam for communication and crowd control over long distances and used in various countries as a non-lethal weapon. 

It is also used to warn protesters at a rally, with a high-pitched, targeted sonic blast being used if they do not abide by Police orders.

This sonic weapon can be harmful to health if used in close proximity. It can cause pain in the ears, with the possibility of permanent hearing loss.

As per MDP's legal team, the Police did not have permission to use the LRAD and that it is a violation of the law.

It is not clear whether the use of LRADs are allowed in the Police's Standard Operating Procedure's (SOP), as this procedure has not been made public. The procedure that states the use of pepper spray, tear gas and mallets have been made public in the past.

Eight people were arrested during MDP's protest that night, with all but one of them being detained for 15 days.