ABOUT 50 gathered at Dataran Merdeka at 8.30pm to protest against the political crisis that resulted in Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin being named as the new prime minister earlier today.

It is unclear who organised tonight’s rally, although it appears to have started with a WhatsApp message that went viral. 

The message read: “A protest has been called for 8.30pm tonight at Dataran Merdeka.

“Those who are outraged by the betrayal, let’s gather tonight at Dataran Merdeka at 830pm. See you there!”

The number of people grew to 80 at around 9.10pm.

A few placards were seen with the words: “Go away racist, sexist, homophobic kleptocrats”, “We are taking back our democracy” and “RIP democracy”.

Artist Fahmi Reza, who created the clown caricature of former prime minister Najib Razak, has created a new one with Muhyiddin’s face. A man, believed to be a plainclothes policeman, was seen warning Fahmi against displaying the caricature.

Seen at the protest tonight was Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s granddaughter Ineza Roussille, who produced the documentary M for Malaysia, which details her grandfather’s fight with Pakatan Harapan to topple Barisan Nasional in the 2018 general election.

“Here are the people who are frustrated and betrayed. The prime minister’s position is not a game of musical chairs,” said a woman who gave her name as Katrina.

“I feel betrayed, I never voted for Muhyiddin,” said Alia, who was a first-time voter in the 2018 poll.

One of the speakers, known as Victor, said the mandate of the people had been defied.

“Did we ask for Muhyiddin?” he shouted to the crowd.

“No!” they shouted back

“Did we ask asked for an Umno-PAS coalition?”

Again, they responded: no.

According to Astro Awani, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim warned the public against attending the rally, which it had declared illegal because it was given no prior notice.

The crowd dispersed peacefully at 10.30pm. 

Just before 5pm today, Istana Negara announced Muhyiddin would be the country’s eighth prime minister, receiving the most support from MPs.

The 72-year-old will be sworn in at the palace tomorrow at 10.30am.

His appointment as prime minister was the culmination of political manoeuvring among parties and factions that led to the collapse of the PH government.

PH is still planning to appeal the Agong’s decision on Muhyiddin with the use of statutory declarations. 

Muhyiddin was said to have the support of 114 MPs, but at this juncture, some lawmakers are in the midst of switching sides. – February 29, 2020.