- Title: MALAYSIA-PROTESTS/SECURITY Security increased ahead of Malaysia weekend protests
- Date: 29th August 2015
- Summary: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (AUGUST 29, 2015) (REUTERS) POLICE BARRICADE ON ROAD LEADING TO INDEPENDENCE SQUARE VARIOUS OF POLICE STANDING NEXT TO BARRICADE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CARRYING FLAGS MARCHING PAST DURING REHEARSAL FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE PROTESTERS SITTING IN FRONT OF A HOTEL PROTESTER, TINAGAR VERANOGAN (LEFT) SITTING WITH A FRIEND (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Malaysia) PROTESTER, TINAGAR VERANOGAN SAYING: "We want to clean up Malaysia. We, the Malaysians, want to clean up this country, we reject dirty politics, we want clean (politics)." PROTESTERS SITTING IN FRONT OF HOTEL WORDS ON T-SHIRT READING (Bahasa Malaysia): "BERSIH 4" (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER, DANIEL LAU SAYING: "Excited. Cos it is one of the messages coming from the people to the government: what we want... want our future, want to change. It's for our own future, to our kids because we had it enough for now." VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS SITTING IN FRONT OF HOTEL
- Embargoed: 13th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Malaysia
- Country: Malaysia
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA1R3MNVDD0PE521RWAUQHSLUML
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Security was heightened in the Malaysian capital on Saturday (August 29) ahead of a weekend of protests.
Thousands of protesters are expected to march through Malaysia's capital on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has weathered public outrage over a multi-million-dollar payment made to a bank account under his name.
Security will be tight for the rally, which is due to run until Sunday (August 30) evening, near the country's lndependence Square.
However, on Saturday entrance to the square was closed due to national day parade rehearsals. On Friday (August 28), Najib criticised the rally organisers for holding the protest so close to Monday's (August 31) independence day celebrations.
A news portal reported that the army may intervene if the crowds get out of hand and a state of emergency is declared. A military spokesman declined to comment on the report.
Kuala Lumpur authorities rejected an application by pro-democracy group Bersih for a permit to protest, setting the stage for a possible showdown with security forces. Police used water cannon and teargas to disperse protesters at Bersih's last big rally in 2012.
Some protesters had started to gather in the capital with one saying he wanted a clean government.
"We want to clean up Malaysia. We the Malaysians want to clean up this country, we reject dirty politics, we want clean (politics)," said protester Tinagar Veranogan.
Another protester, Daniel Lau said he was protesting for future generations.
"Excited. Cos it is one of the messages coming from the people to the government: what we want... want our future, want to change. It's for our own future, to our kids because we had it enough for now," he said.
The 62-year-old Najib, ran into trouble in July when it was reported that investigators looking into alleged mismanagement at debt-laden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had traced a payment of more than $600 million to an account under his name.
Malaysia's anti-graft agency has since verified the funds were a donation from the Middle East, which came just before a 2013 election. On Aug. 3, it said it would ask Najib to explain why the donation was deposited into his private account.
The prime minister's fiercest critic, former leader Mahathir Mohamad, this week said he did not believe the money was a donation and called again for Najib to go.
Najib, who has denied wrongdoing and says he did not take any money for personal gain, has not only ridden out the storm, he has tightened his grip on power through a series of deft steps to sideline would-be dissenters. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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