Top Cop Urges ‘Turun Anwar’ Rallygoers to Obey the Law, Ensure Peaceful Assembly

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Voice of Malaysia): Malaysia’s top police official has issued a strong call for calm and compliance with the law ahead of Saturday’s planned “Turun Anwar” rally, urging participants to conduct themselves peacefully and respectfully throughout the protest.

In a statement on Friday, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail reminded all those intending to join the rally to adhere to the law and avoid any provocative or disruptive behavior.

“We greatly appreciate the cooperation of all parties to ensure that the rally proceeds peacefully,” Khalid said. “We urge participants to respect one another and be mindful of their language.”

Khalid added that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) would be on the ground to facilitate the gathering and ensure public safety. He also advised the public to plan their travel ahead of time to avoid traffic delays and congestion in affected areas.

The protest, organized by opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional, is calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Organizers have estimated that as many as 300,000 people could take part in the mass rally—though a similar anti-Anwar protest in Shah Alam earlier this month drew only around 300 participants.

On Thursday, acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Usuf Jan Mohamad confirmed that no road closures would be implemented ahead of the rally but warned of potential disruptions in the city due to large crowds.

Participants are expected to begin gathering from multiple locations in the capital, including:

• Masjid Negara

• Pasar Seni

• Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad

• Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru

• Sogo shopping complex

From these points, protesters plan to march toward Dataran Merdeka, a historic public square in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

The Prime Minister’s Office has yet to issue an official response to the planned protest. However, government sources have indicated that security and public order remain a top priority and that freedom of assembly is protected under the law—provided demonstrations remain peaceful and non-violent.

Observers note that while political protests are not uncommon in Malaysia, large-scale rallies often test the balance between civil liberties and public order.

The “Turun Anwar” rally will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, as it reflects ongoing political dissatisfaction from opposition parties amid challenging economic conditions and ongoing policy debates.