Turun Anwar Rally Hits The Streets In Shah Alam

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Around 100 participants of the “Turun Anwar” rally gathered at a hotel parking lot in Shah Alam, Selangor, today, to protest against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership.
The rally behind the Concorde Hotel in Section 9, organised by the Turun Anwar Rally Secretariat, was said to be in response to issues affecting the public.
They include the rising cost of living and the expansion of the sales and service tax (SST) on July 1.
Attendees were seen carrying banners and placards with messages such as “Turun Anwar” (Anwar step down), “Rakyat Terbeban” (people are burdened), “Rakyat Susah, Cukaiman Selamba” (people are struggling, ‘Cukaiman’ couldn’t care less), and “Kami nak pemimpin, bukan Cukaiman” (we want leaders, not ‘Cukaiman').
“Cukaiman”, directly translated as taxman, is a monicker used to refer to Anwar following the government’s move to expand the SST, which certain quarters have warned would negatively affect the public.
Also spotted at the rally were Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar, Kelantan PAS Youth chief Kamal Mohamad, and former PKR leader Ezam Nor.
Other figures who made an appearance include Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali, PAS Youth deputy chief Hanif Jamaluddin, and Malaysian Muslim Students Coalition president Azamuddin Sahar.
In his speech, Rafique called on Anwar to step down or take a leave of absence and hand over his duties as prime minister to someone else.
He highlighted that the Pakatan Harapan chairperson is embroiled in various controversies, including an ongoing court case involving his former aide, Yusoff Rawther.
“We are gathered here today without weapons because our strongest weapon is our voice and our statements,” Rafique said.
Rafique Rashid Ali“The people’s voice must be heard on July 26. It must be proof that the rakyat will take to the streets because he (Anwar) is a problem.
“SST, electricity tariffs, poor governance, judicial issues, the disarray in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, rising living costs, gas issues - these problems affect not only the Malay-Muslim community but people of all races.
ADS“That’s why we must demand that Anwar step down,” he asserted.
‘Anwar is all talk, no walk’
Ezam, meanwhile, claimed the public is disillusioned with Anwar’s leadership, accusing the prime minister of failing to deliver on promises made when he was in the opposition.
“He used to talk big about lowering petrol prices. Now that he’s in power, nothing’s been done,” Ezam said.
Ezam Nor“We’re not here to fight the authorities or the police. We’re here to express how the people feel. People are angry. In the past, only the lower-income groups were angry, but now even the wealthy are upset. Everyone is being taxed.
“Back when Anwar was persecuted, PAS leaders rose to defend him. Now that he’s in power, Umno leaders have come crawling and join forces with him,” he added.
Hanif, on the other hand, urged Anwar’s government to resolve the people’s economic woes before boasting about the Kota Madani project in Putrajaya.
“Before you build Kota Madani, fulfil your promises first. Remember all the things you once said,” he said.
At a press conference, Hanif said today’s gathering was a precursor to the main rally dubbed Himpunan Turun Anwar, which is scheduled for July 26 at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur and expected to draw some 50,000 participants.
He said in addition to nationwide civil organisations, political leaders who are expected to attend include former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the entire Perikatan Nasional leadership led by chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
The politicians’ attendance, however, will be subject to their health conditions. - Mkini

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