AN OPPOSITION rally led by PAS concluded without incident at Dataran Merdeka today with an estimated 18,000 participants calling for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down.
Despite rainy conditions throughout the day, demonstrators gathered peacefully from five assembly points before marching to the historic square, where the event concluded with the singing of the national anthem and closing prayers.
“There were no incidents of provocation, and everything ran smoothly,” said Acting Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad, who confirmed the turnout and maintained that public order was upheld.
The rally was attended by several senior opposition figures including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who delivered the final speech of the day.
“Anwar Ibrahim must resign,” Dr Mahathir declared to an attentive crowd, many of whom remained in the downpour without umbrellas or ponchos as a sign of solidarity.
Other key political figures present included Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, and opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
The rally, part of the “Turun Anwar” campaign, was marked by chants of support, religious recitations including selawat (the act of sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad) and takbir (chanting of God is the Greatest), and a visible commitment to public decorum. Organisers and volunteers were also seen assisting with clean-up efforts after the event.
While the event’s organisers initially claimed they were targeting a turnout of 300,000, police figures placed actual attendance at approximately 18,000.
The peaceful nature of the rally drew mixed responses on social media, with supporters lauding the participants' discipline and resolve, while critics cast doubt on the numbers and political motives behind the protest. - July 26, 2025
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