![[PHOTOS] Riot police, MPs and Dataran Merdeka](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/2021/August_2021/paliament_march_-_dataran/_large/02082021_-_PARLIAMENT_OPPOSITION_-_SADIQ_ASYRAF_-_17.jpeg)
KUALA LUMPUR – Dataran Merdeka has never been lonely. Since the 1880s, it has been the meeting point of various events, be they good or bad.
In fact, when opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from the post of deputy prime minister in 1998, we saw Dataran Merdeka become one of the “battlefields” between his supporters and the police, especially the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), at the time.
In fact, July 31 also saw youth trying to flood Dataran Merdeka for the #Lawan demonstration, demanding that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin step down.
Today, Anwar led a number of MPs to gather at Dataran Merdeka after the government decided to close Parliament due to an outbreak of the Covid-19 Delta variant there, on advice of the Health Ministry.
This was a moment in history where MPs – who have offices there – were barred from entering the legislative building by police, and, in particular, the FRU.
The FRU is no stranger to Anwar. From the time he was sacked in 1998 until he became opposition leader, the riot unit has always been lying in wait.
Today, around 107 opposition MPs tried to enter the Parliament building at as early as 9.30am but were stopped by police, causing them to head to the square to gather.
Their only motive for the action was so the conference can continue to allow for a debate on tackling the Covid-19 outbreak, which has to date killed 9,184 victims.
However, the assembled MPs claimed that the closure of Parliament was done to allow Muhyiddin to continue his political agenda and hold on to his position as prime minister.
According to Anwar, the government is using its power to turn its back on the people and violate the federal constitution, disobeying the king in the process.
In the past, people came to watch cricket or rugby matches at Dataran Merdeka, but now the historic square has played host to rallies and demonstrations.
The photos around the rally at Dataran Merdeka shot by The Vibes shutterbugs, SADIQ ASYRAF and SAIRIEN NAFIS, tell it all. – The Vibes, August 2, 2021
