“Undur! Undur! Undur Anwar! (Step down! Step down! Step down Anwar)” shouted the sea of protestors, mostly donned in black, who had congregated at Masjid Negara, the National Mosque.

“Bangkit! Bangkit! Bangkit rakyat! (Rise! Rise! People rise!)” some of them also chanted as the group marched towards Dataran Merdeka, or Independence Square, which would be the final gathering place for the rally.

They were to be joined by crowds that had likewise started marching from Masjid Jamek, Sogo Mall and Central Market to protest against Datuk Seri Anwar who

took office nearly three years ago

.

Backed by the opposition Perikatan Nasional alliance that had bussed in thousands of people from outside the Klang Valley, the rally was also attended by smaller opposition parties and Malay-rights activist groups.

Among those slated to headline the rally are two former prime ministers Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin. Tan Sri Muhyiddin is co-leader of the main opposition alliance Perikatanan Nasional with Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) president Abdul Hadi Awang, who will also be present.

Organisers and rally-goers hope to raise several issues and grievances that include cost-of-living concerns, especially after the

Sales and Services Tax was expanded

in July , a hike in the electricity rate, and a reduction in fuel subsidies.

Mr Aiman Zafri, 28, who owns a satay business, had turned up at the rally not just to voice his concerns about rising costs, but also to take the opportunity to make some income.

Mr Aiman Zafri turned up at the rally not just to voice his concerns about rising costs, but also to take the opportunity to make some income.

ST PHOTO: AZRIL ANNUAR

Armed with a trolley of cold drinks for sale, he told The Straits Times that he has found it more difficult to make ends meet, as compared to five years ago. “I used to be able to sell around 200 to 300 sticks of satay. Nowadays, I am lucky if I can sell 100 sticks a day,” he said.

Other attendees were worried about increasing curbs on freedom of speech amid a clampdown on social media postings critical of the government.

A 25-year-old undergraduate told ST that she decided to attend the rally as she was unhappy with the premier, especially after the 2024 incident where

political cartoonist Fahmi Reza

was arrested and probed for his artwork which criticised the appointment of Sabah governor Musa Aman.

“What happened to his promise of reform and allowing the freedom of speech? Fahmi used to march and supported him and PKR during the Bersih rallies,” she said, declining to be named for fear of backlash.

Organisers and rally-goers hope to raise several issues and grievances that include cost-of-living concerns.

ST PHOTO: AZRIL ANNUAR

And there were also those who wanted to highlight the

for Kuala Lumpur districts, which critics fear will push poor Malays out of redeveloped urban centres.

Over the last few weeks, smaller Turun Anwar rallies and motorcycle convoys had taken place all over the country with speakers including Dr Mahathir, Mr Muhyiddin and Datuk Seri Hadi at some venues.

In an open letter to the public, rally organisers listed problems facing the nation, including the

blanket diesel subsidy removal in June 2024

which raised the cost of goods and services, a lack of reforms that Mr Anwar had promised, the failure to reduce the cost of living, and perceptions that corrupted leaders are being protected.

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