A new Malay rights pressure group Pemantau Malaysia Baru (PMB) has pledged to hold a protest in Kuala Lumpur this Friday to "save" Islamic institutions and the monarchy.

The group's leader Lokman Noor Adam told a press conference today that more than 100 NGOs have agreed to take part in the rally and he estimated that there will be about 2,000 participants.

The rally will be held at Masjid Negara.

Lokman accused the federal government of wanting to review the functions of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), to withhold funds for mosque upgrades in Penang and removing "thousands" of Kafa (Kemahiran Asas Fardu Ain) teachers in Kelantan.

"PMB strongly objects to the Pakatan Harapan administration which is seen to have prevented dakwah (preaching) activities and Islamic teachings," he said

Malaysiakini is unable to independently verify Lokman's claims on the upgrading of mosques in Penang.

On allegations that the monarchy was under attack, Lokman questioned why the government had not taken action against veteran journalist A Kadir Jasin and activist Hishamuddin Rais despite several police reports lodged against their writings concerning the Malay rulers.

During the press conference, Lokman was flanked by his deputy Azwanddin Hamzah and several other NGO representatives.

Lokman was formerly the Finance Ministry strategic communications head. He is also a candidate for the Umno supreme council elections later this month.

"Is following the law only for those who are anti-Harapan?" he questioned.

Lokman (photo) urged the police to follow the rule of law as he claimed that Kadir and Hishamuddin had committed clear-cut offences.

"It is important for the duo to be punished so that it will set an example for others to not so easily insult the monarchy," he added.

He called on the public who would like to join the rally after Friday prayers to wear a black shirt and a yellow armband to show their support.

Asked if the NGO has a permit to hold the rally, Lokman answered: "There is no need for a permit under the Peaceful Assembly Act."

Kadir was recently in the spotlight following his controversial blog post which touched on the personal expenditure of the king.

Hishamuddin, meanwhile, was said to have published an allegedly seditious blog post criticising Sultan Muhammad V.

Hishamuddin has denied that he wrote such post, saying that his blog had been hacked.