PAS has pledged to provide legal assistance to any civil servant who faces disciplinary measures for participating in the upcoming Himpunan Turun Anwar rally scheduled for this Saturday.
Speaking after a pre-rally talk in Negeri Sembilan on Wednesday, PAS Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man stressed that the right to assemble is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
“Every citizen, including civil servants, has the right to gather, and this right is enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.
“So when the Constitution guarantees it, there should not be other regulations that contradict it. Even though one is a civil servant, they still have the right to make demands through assembly. Previously, many groups of civil servants have gathered, such as doctors,” he added.
Tuan Ibrahim said PAS, along with other parties, stands ready to offer support to affected individuals.
“If any action is taken, every party is prepared to help. God willing, we are confident many parties will come forward to assist,” he said.
He also advised rally participants to comply with all relevant laws and refrain from provocation or carrying weapons during the event.
“This rally is a peaceful assembly, and we thank the former Chief Justice, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, for reaffirming the people’s right to gather before her retirement,” he said.
He acknowledged the role of police in maintaining order but emphasised that their duties should be limited to preventing untoward incidents.
“The police have the right to set restrictions, but it should be solely to ensure nothing undesirable occurs, as that is their responsibility,” he said.
Tuan Ibrahim also commented on the public sentiment, particularly after the Prime Minister’s announcement of financial incentives for the people, suggesting it may have been a response to the rally.
“Why not wait for the budget presentation? Such announcements should be made during the budget. But why was it made now? This suggests that more such rewards may be announced later. It means if we organise more rallies, perhaps the people will receive even more,” he remarked.
PAS had initially projected 300,000 attendees, but Tuan Ibrahim now believes the turnout may exceed expectations due to growing public sentiment. - July 24, 2025
