The “Turun Anwar” rally to be held later today has been billed as the largest anti-government rally since Anwar Ibrahim was appointed prime minister in 2022.
Rally organisers say they expect up to 300,000 participants, but police estimates put it at some 10,000 to 15,000.
A similar protest in Shah Alam earlier this month drew just over 300 people. However, today’s rally will feature several prominent politicians including former prime ministers Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim as well as former PKR MP Tian Chua.
Yet, despite the recent back and forth between Anwar‘s supporters and detractors in the past few days, the push for Anwar’s removal was not the initial goal of the rally.
In February, PAS Youth announced plans to hold a rally to protest against the Urban Renewal Act, which was expected to be tabled on July 31, claiming that it will displace minorities.
But in June, the wing decided to rebrand the rally, shifting the focus to a demand for Anwar’s resignation, based on issues arising from decisions made by the prime minister.
The change was mocked by a PKR Sabah leader who accused PAS Youth of shifting the goalposts due to the lukewarm response it received to the planned anti-URA rally.
On Thursday Perikatan Nasional Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, said the rally was specifically about Anwar and not aimed at toppling the unity government.
Leaders from PKR have criticised the organisers, saying any change in government should be done democratically – via Parliament – rather than through street protests.
On Friday, PKR Tenggara chief Fakharuddin Moslim said Anwar does not make unilateral decisions, and that government policies were a collective decision
FMT columnist Tajuddin Rasdi also wondered who could succeed Anwar should the opposition get what they wished for, suggesting that there is no worthy candidate to take over the reins.
On the other hand, Anwar seems to be taking this matter in his stride, having been a student activist and the inspiration for anti-government rallies during the Reformasi period following his unceremonious sacking from government in 1998.
According to his senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, Anwar has only expressed hope that the rally proceeds peacefully and in an orderly manner, and had even instructed the police to facilitate today’s gathering.
Tunku Nashrul said the government’s stance on the matter is in line with one of the Madani principles the administration espouses, “celebrating democracy”.
In driving home the point on respecting such rights, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said he has ordered all public transport, including KTM and RapidKL, to operate as usual tomorrow.
Loke even encouraged participants to use public transport.
