250 protesters join anti-Anwar rally

PUTRAJAYA: About 250 protesters took to the streets for the “Rakyat Lawan Anwar” demonstration here today.

The protesters were clad in black attire, with some wearing the watermelon symbol clothing, or keffiyeh, to show solidarity for Palestinians.

Participants gathered outside Seri Perdana, the prime minister’s official residence here, calling on Anwar Ibrahim to step down.

They also chanted “Allahuakbar”, “Lawan, lawan Anwar” (Fight Anwar), “Undur, undur Anwar”, as well as “Halau (reject) BlackRock”.

Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali, Bersatu members Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz and Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, were also sighted taking part in the rally.

On Thursday, the Demi Negara movement said it would proceed with the “Rakyat Lawan Anwar” demonstration despite a police warning that it is illegal, according to rally organiser Aidil Yunus.

Aidil said the rally-goers would make eight demands, including a call to stop the increase in the price of RON95 petrol, address the local rice shortage and tackle unaddressed issues resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also said the rally would call on the government to address the rising cost of living, protect public healthcare staff, ensure fair wages, uphold freedom of speech and maintain economic sovereignty.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa earlier said the rally organiser would be breaking the law if it proceeded with the gathering as it had failed to obtain the consent of the land owner, Perbadanan Putrajaya, as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act (Act 736).

Aidil, however, denied any need to do so as “this land is not private property, it’s funded by taxpayers”.