March for ‘reform’: Thousands protest against scandal-plagued Malaysia PM Najib Razak
More than 10,000 yellow-clad Malaysians flooded the capital on Saturday to demand Prime Minister Najib Razak resign over a corruption scandal, as feared clashes with pro-government rightists failed to materialise.
Leading reformist group Bersih, whose colour is yellow, turned out huge crowds for the second time in 15 months to vent anger over allegations that billions of dollars were looted from Najib’s brainchild investment fund, 1MDB.
Time has come for us to topple this cruel regime. Najib is no longer suitable to be the prime minister. He is abusing the law
Tensions in the Muslim-majority country had spiralled in recent weeks following threats by the “Red Shirts” ethnic-Malay rightist group to disrupt the demonstration.
The government arrested the leaders of both sides in the hours leading up to the rally. That did little to stop Bersih’s momentum, but the Red Shirts turned out in far smaller numbers and began dispersing early. No clashes were reported.
Bersih’s demonstration shut down much of Kuala Lumpur, with riot police fencing off large areas at its symbolic heart.