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Malaysians demand ‘liar’ PM Anwar step down in mass protest
The opposition-organised rally targets Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over unfulfilled promises and alleged authoritarian tendencies
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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday faced calls to step down as thousands of protesters descended on the capital city of Kuala Lumpur to demand that he live up to his promise to lower living costs and restore subsidies that were slashed under his watch.
About 20,000 people turned up for the “Turun Anwar” (“Resign Anwar”) rally organised by the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). The protest accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of unfulfilled campaign promises, mishandling the economy and showing authoritarian tendencies, including his controversial attempt to seek legal immunity from a sexual assault allegation.
Living costs appeared to be the most common grouse among protesters who braved the rain to be part of the march and rally led by Anwar’s political rivals, including former prime ministers Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin.
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“All these new taxes are hitting us hard. He promised to make things cheaper, that there would not be any inflation but that did not happen,” said businessman Mazuwan Mat Kassim, who drove five hours from the northern state of Terengganu to attend the rally.
“He is a liar. He no longer has any credibility left and he should step down immediately.”
Authorities said they would not block the rally, with Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirming that police would facilitate the protest following a Federal Court ruling on July 1. Roads stayed open, with traffic near the city centre diverted.
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