Several youth groups today announced the formation of a loose coalition dubbed 'Kita Lawan' and unveiled its plan to hold a mass rally in Kuala Lumpur next month.

 

The coalition, comprising of youth wings of political parties and NGOs, said this is in response to the jailing of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

 

"As a result of our discussions, we have formulated our plan of action and will be holding a rally on March 7 to 8," PKR Youth strategies director Akmal Nasir told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

 

PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad urged the public to participate in the rally which will begin at 4pm at Sogo.

 

He added that the coalition also passed four resolutions, one of which called on all ranking Pakatan Rakyat leaders to join in what they dubbed as the "People's rally".

 

The other resolutions include a vow to join forces to topple the ruling coalition and demanding for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation for supposedly conspiring to imprison Anwar.

 

It also demanded a reform of the judiciary system.

Also present at the press conference were Pakatan youth wings – DAP Youth vice-chairperson Tiew Way Keng; PKR's Semambu state assemblyperson Lee Chean Chung and Simpang Pulai state assemblyperson Tan Kar Hing; and PSM Youth chief KS Bawani.

 

‘The fight is in Malaysia’

Social activists Adam Adli and Fahmi Zainol ( right ) were at the press conference.

Notably absent among the political parties though, is PAS.

Nik Nazmi said PAS Youth was informed of today’s meeting to form a coalition.

 

However, the party could not send a representative as it was engaged in a national event in Kuantan, Pahang.

 

Asked if PAS has pledged to mobilise for this rally, Nik Nazmi said a formal meeting will be held with the party soon.

 

He said the details could not be ironed out due to the untimely passing of PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat on Thursday which meant Friday's Pakatan Rakyat meeting had to be cancelled.

 

On a separate matter, Nik Nazmi, when asked if the opposition supported foreign efforts to get Anwar freed, said the international supporters had a right to coordinate their own efforts.

 

"But for us, the fight is here in this country," he said.

 

Former US ambassador to Malaysia John Malott had earlier this week started a petition asking Washington to pressure Putrajaya to free Anwar.

 

The Federal Court on Tuesday upheld Anwar's conviction for sodomy and five-year jail sentence.

 

Anwar, who maintains the charge is politically motivated, is serving his sentence in Sungai Buloh prison.

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