Protesters voice their discontent
KUALA LUMPUR: A peaceful rally to “defend the sovereignty of Islam” was held here with its participants voicing their discontent over matters linked to religion and the royalty.
Known as the 405 rally, the protesters highlighted issues such as Rome Statute, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Unified Examination Certificate, and the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki spoke out against the alleged inaction in bringing justice for Muhammad Adib who died last December during riots in a temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
“Today (May 4) is World Firefighters’ Day, and today we remember him (Muhammad Adib),” he said to the crowd yesterday.
The rally, he said, marked a historical event in which protesters were defending the Federal Constitution and the institution of the monarchy.
He also called for Attorney General Tommy Thomas to step down, claiming that he had failed to defend the monarchy.
The rally-goers held banners which, among others, carried messages such as “TMJ’s voice, the people’s voice” and “the rakyat is with TMJ”, in reference to Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.
PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man urged rallygoers to continue fighting the threat against Islam in the country.
The gathering, he said, served as
Our gathering ... is meant to unite Muslims and establish harmony in the country. Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man
a “warning and a reminder” to not sideline the Muslims and Malays.
“Our gathering, in conjunction with the start of the Ramadan fasting month, is meant to unite Muslims and establish harmony in the country,” he said.
He urged certain parties not to underestimate the strength of the Muslims and not to take advantage of them.
The leaders from Umno and PAS managed to finish their speeches before the rally dispersed due to heavy downpour.
There was a large turnout at the gathering, which had to be cut short due to the rain.
They dispersed at 3.30pm – one and a half hour earlier than planned – but rally organisers vowed that there would be more gatherings in the future.
The rally started from 2pm, with participants marching from Masjid Jamek to the Sogo shopping complex.
It was organised by the Gerakan Pembela Ummah and several NGOs.