The authorities will not stop the March 27 event against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, if organisers can ensure peace, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said.

However, he said, police will take action if any untoward incidents occur.

“No (it is not allowed), but there is no need for us to stop them if the organisers can promise to ensure the demonstration will go smoothly.

“Finally, we have to see how things go and whether there are problems like traffic congestion, injuries and so on.

“The police will monitor and take action when necessary,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

This comes after inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the rally is “illegal”.

Nur Jazlan said this is akin to the mammoth two-day rally by election watchdog Bersih last year, which was considered illegal but no police action was taken.

The Bersih 4 rally among other demands, called for Najib’s resignation amid corruption allegations.

Bersih was, however, charged by the Urban Well-being and Local Government Ministry for clean-up work after the event.

Indoor event

The March 27 event is organised by the Save Malaysia group, which signed the Citizens’ Declaration to call for Najib’s resignation and national reforms.

It will be an indoor event at the Shah Alam Convention Centre, and not a street rally like Bersih 4.

Pakatan Harapan is, however, organising several rallies around Malaysia on the same issue.

Najib has repeatedly denied using public funds for personal use.

Likewise, attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had cleared Najib of wrongdoing over the RM2.6 billion political donation and RM42 million from state firm SRC International found in the PM’s bank account.