Aliran welcomes PM's last minute support for anti-graft rally

Summary

• Aliran welcomes Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's support for tomorrow’s rally in Kuala Lumpur.

• Despite his support being last minute, it is in line with the right to freedom of speech, says the NGO.

• It also demands an explanation from Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil for opposing the rally.

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Aliran welcomed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s support for the anti-graft rally in Kuala Lumpur planned for tomorrow.

In a statement today, the NGO said the Pakatan Harapan chairperson’s support, although at the last minute, was in line with the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression.

“The lesson to be drawn from this saga is that ordinary people must push back against any attempt to curb their democratic rights.

“A string of civil society groups, including Aliran, had spoken out against the authorities’ attempts to obstruct the rally. Many ordinary people also voiced their unhappiness.

“In the end, the government had to backtrack in the face of the popular will,” it said.

Earlier today, Anwar said he had no issue with the rally, adding that Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has given the green light for it to proceed.

Saifuddin also said the police will facilitate the rally despite earlier saying otherwise.

The rally called “Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah” will start outside the Sogo shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur before proceeding to Dataran Merdeka.

On that note, Aliran also urged Saifuddin and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to provide explanations for opposing the rally previously.

“They must explain their (previous) authoritarian opposition to the rally – considering their ridiculous ‘conditions’ – stands in stark contrast to the PM’s 11th-hour support.

“If they maintain an elegant silence, many might think they ‘didn’t get the memo’ from the top,” it said.

‘Jekyll and Hyde’ govt?

Meanwhile, lawyer-activist Latheefa Koya asked if Putrajaya was having a “Jekyll and Hyde” problem.

“The PM claims that he has ‘no problem’ with the Jan 25 rally.

“But his home minister, communications minister, the police all say NO - the public must get permission to rally on the road in front of Sogo or in Dataran Merdeka. Even though those are public spaces.

“Is this a Jekyll and Hyde government?” the former MACC chief commissioner asked on X.

“Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” is a popular novel featuring a fictional kind-hearted character named Dr Henry Jekyll, who transforms into serial killer Edward Hyde at night after consuming a potion.

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