ABOUT 200 people gathered outside the Sogo shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur to rally against the appointment of Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister, despite being warned by police not to participate.

The protest, which began at 6pm, was organised by a group calling itself the Save Malaysia Demonstration Committee. 

Several activists who turned up said they came as concerned Malaysian citizens rather than as part of any organisation.

Marina Mahathir, a prominent activist and daughter of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was also present at the gathering.

She said last week’s coup by certain politicians to form a back-door government will lead to a new government consisting of corrupt politicians.

“People have lost their right to choose the government they want. 

“Now we have a (new) government that consists of people who are corrupt, traitors, thieves and many more… we should be ashamed,” she said.

Marina also urged the younger generation to “continue the fight”, adding that she believes Malaysia will rise again. 

“We have to continue to fight and protest. The younger generation should take over. 

“We call on you, the young ones to take over. Do it your way, have your voice out there. Do it loudly.

“I just pray for the best, for all of us, for all of Malaysia, for all good people in Malaysia. I have faith. We will rise again,” she said.

Amir Abd Hadi, who led the group of protesters, said people must continue to oppose a government they did not vote for.

He also spoke up for lawyer-activist Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, who is under police investigation for alleged sedition and violation of the Communications and Multimedia Act over a similar protest at Dataran Merdeka last night.

“We reject the back-door government. 

“We are disappointed with the police for wanting to investigate Fadiah Nadwa Fikri under the Sedition Act.”

Lawyer and human rights activist Ambiga Sreenevasan was also at the protest and gave a speech calling for an emergency Dewan Rakyat sitting to determine MPs’ support for Muhyiddin.

“We will not accept it if they postpone it,” she said, referring to the possibility that Muhyiddin’s government might attempt to delay the Dewan Rakyat sitting scheduled for March 9.

Former student activist and lawyer Asheeq Ali told protestors it is time for an anti-hopping law to penalise lawmakers who switch parties.

“In the last general election, people chose a PH government but some politicians jumped parties and toppled the government,” he said.

Protestors marched from Sogo to Dataran Merdeka around 7.20pm, monitored by police officers.

They were also heckled by other members of the public who were watching some buskers perform outside the Sogo shopping complex.

At Dataran Merdeka, Muslims in the group performed Maghrib prayers. More speeches were given for another 30 minutes, before the rally ended at 8.15pm. – March 1, 2020.