PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar (in pink tudung) surrounded by Pakatan Rakyat supporters during the rally outside the Sogo shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, February 14, 2015.About 200 Pakatan Rakyat supporters gathered outside the Sogo shopping centre in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur today in support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was convicted of sodomy earlier this week.
PKR leaders including Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR vice-president), youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as well as student leaders Fahmi Zainol and Adam Adli Abdul Halim were also present at the rally, which began at 4.30pm.
Organised by student groups, the gathering called for justice to prevail in Anwar's case, saying it was a political conspiracy to topple the opposition leader, who has been credited with denying Barisan Nasional (BN) its traditional two-thirds majority in the last two general elections.
"The fact that the people are here and also gathered in front of Sungai Buloh prison (where Anwar is serving his sentence) for candlelight vigils every night shows that they want him freed," Nik Nazmi said.
"The people have rejected the court's decision on Anwar's conviction.”
Nurul Izzah warned the government that Pakatan and the people will not stop fighting until they are successful in driving BN out of Putrajaya.
She said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak "will be sorry" as the people will not give up even if all opposition leaders were to be jailed.
"We will never surrender. Despite being incarcerated, Anwar's fighting spirit remains high.
The famous 'auntie Bersih', retired teacher Annie Ooi, was also among the crowd gathered outside the Sogo shopping centre today to show her support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 14, 2015.
"The one who should be embarrassed is the cruel regime. They are not ashamed of the corruption and the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) scandal, not ashamed to impose the GST upon the people.
"Be damned with you. We stand with our heads held up high," she said to applause and cheers from the crowd.
The crowd also cheered as supporters shouted "reformasi", "Bebas Anwar", "Lawan tetap Lawan" and "Hidup Rakyat".
As at 5.30pm, the crowd, which had grown to 300, began marching to Kuala Lumpur City Hall, where more leaders are expected to give their speeches.
The crowd continued towards Menara Maybank in Pudu where several student leaders gave speeches in support of Anwar.
Only a handful of police officers were seen moving with the crowd. A policeman on duty said that they were not given any orders to stop the people from marching.
Several protesters, however, turned rowdy and spray painted vulgarities on a police bus that was moving along Jalan Tun Perak.
They fled before the police discovered the graffiti.
The crowd then dispersed at 6.40pm, after leaders promised they would return next week for another rally.
Pakatan Rakyat supporters at the gathering outside the Sogo shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur, before the march to the KL City Hall building. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, February 14, 2015.
- TMI
Pakatan Rakyat supporters at the gathering outside the Sogo shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur, before the march to the KL City Hall building. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, February 14, 2015.
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