THE anti-Trump rally organised by pro-Palestinian groups in the capital will proceed tomorrow as planned, with organisers assuring that the gathering will remain peaceful despite police calls for its cancellation.
Sekretariat Solidarity Palestin (SSP) spokesperson Tian Chua said organisers had assured the police that participants would not march towards the ASEAN Summit venue or engage in any provocative acts such as burning effigies.
“The protest will go on. In fact, we have met the police twice and we informed them about our objective. They did not object to our plan,” he said.
“But at the very last minute, we were told to move to Padang Merbok instead of Ampang Park. It is too late now.
“They knew about our protest more than a month ago. We had meetings with the cops and we told them clearly we are not going to march towards the venue, including no provocative action,” the former MP added.
Tian Chua criticised the police’s request to relocate the rally to Padang Merbok, describing it as “an act made in bad faith”. He said any last-minute changes would only confuse participants since details of the protest had already been widely circulated on social media.
“If they told us much earlier, there is a possibility that we could consider it, but to make the changes now will create confusion,” he said.
“We assure them that the protest is peaceful, and we just want to express our objective to the United States — to stop arming and assisting Israel, which has committed genocide in Gaza.”
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Fadil Marsus today reiterated that any gathering near Ampang Park is not permitted. He said the location is within 50 metres of the “red zone” designated for ASEAN Summit delegates, making it unsuitable for public assembly.
“The proposal to hold a gathering at Ampang Park is inappropriate based on intelligence and analysis by PDRM together with other enforcement agencies. The area is not suitable,” he said.
“PDRM has held discussions with the organisers. They can gather in other places, but Ampang Park is too close to the hotel occupied by the Summit delegation,” Fadil explained, warning that strict action would be taken under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 against those who defy the order.
“The initial proposal of 1,000 to 1,500 participants was to be held from 9 to 11.30am. We have stressed that the area is unsuitable due to security issues. If there is still a gathering, we will disperse and act according to the law,” he told reporters at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters.
Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, however, argued that the police should facilitate the rally instead of attempting to cancel it, stressing the public’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
“There is no reason whatsoever for the police to tell organisers to cancel the protest because we have made it very clear that it will be peaceful. No one will be carrying arms or weapons,” he said.
“It was unconstitutional for the police to issue such statements. The Federal Court’s previous ruling had affirmed the public’s right to peaceful assembly without the need for prior notice. Malaysians are fully entitled to gather and voice their objections to Trump’s visit.”
“With our assurance that it will be a peaceful protest, the cops are obligated to assist and facilitate the rally. There is no reason for us to stop the protest as we have shown in many of our rallies that it was peaceful,” added the Pejuang Information Chief.
In preparation for the ASEAN Summit, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has deployed 10,170 officers — one of the largest security operations ever mounted for the event — to ensure smooth proceedings.
The deployment includes personnel from multiple divisions, such as the Special Branch, Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Special Actions Unit (UTK), 69 Commando, Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), General Operations Force (PGA), and Air Operations Force (PGU).
Several major roads in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and routes to KLIA have been closed in phases from 17 to 28 October, with tighter restrictions expected between 26 and 28 October during official summit events.
The Roads temporarily affected include Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P Ramlee, Jalan Pinang, Persiaran KLCC, and several main highways. - October 25, 2025
