Determined not to allow a repeat of yesterday’s early morning attack by thugs on students camping in Dataran Merdeka, some 500 activists and supporters descended on the square last night, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.

The students, whose 10 tents were destroyed in the attack, set up 12 new ones, on top of 30 more in store donated with goodwill from the public.

NONE Aside from tents, the students who entered their sixth night of protest demanding free education and a waiver of PTPTN loans, also received food such as nasi lemak, mee and biscuits from the people.

Business operators, too, did not miss out as they took advantage of the spike in the crowd to sell Bersih 3.0 T-shirts and other merchandise.

However, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim proved to be a crowd puller as he visited the students in a show of support.

Speaking to the crowd, Anwar condemned the violent attack on the students as a case of brawn over brains.

“When invited to debate, they do not want. Instead, they use force to attack others,” he said, but did not specify who he was alluding to.

NONE Asked about claims that he was part of the cabinet, as  deputy prime minister then, in passing the PTPTN loan scheme, Anwar ( left ) said the issue was about providing education for the poor.

"For the super rich, it is not an issue for their children but for children from poor families, it (PTPTN) is an issue.

"My duty is to take care of the rakyat as the whole, not the billionaires and towkays," he said.

Anwar, who arrived around 10.40pm, wore a bright yellow Bersih 3.0 cap and autographed one of the students’ tent.

PAS Unit Amal in force

However, another figure that was able to equally steal the limelight was “Najib”, a two-foot monkey that was brought in by a student supporter.

Sceptical at first, the crowd was astonished as the monkey responded when its owner addressed it as “Najib”.

NONE Some from the crowd gave the monkey a gentle pat while another gave it a Bersih 3.0 T-shirt to put on.

On top of the carnival-like crowd, some 45 PAS Unit Amal officers clad in their trademark maroon T-shirts were also present to ensure the safety of the students.

In the early morning attack yesterday, eight people were injured, including a police officer and a businessman.

While the students are adamant on continuing to camp at Dataran Merdeka until the Bersih 3.0 on April 28, they are expected to temporarily move out to make way for the royal concert tomorrow in celebration of the installation of the Agong.

However, the fate of the Bersih 3.0 sit-in remains unclear as Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad has rejected the movement’s intent to host their protest at Dataran Merdeka.

“Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has received six applications from various groups to hold rallies at Dataran Merdeka until April 29. All of them have been rejected.

“For Bersih, DBKL is prepared to consider an application for a substitute location under the jurisdiction of DBKL to hold its rally,” Ahmad Fuad said in a text message to Malaysiakini.