Malaysia warns of action as anti-PM rally gathers steam

Kuala Lumpur, August 30 

Tens of thousands of yellow- shirted Malaysians demanding embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak's ouster over a financial scandal took to the streets in downtown Kuala Lumpur for the second day today even as the government warned of stern action against the protesters.

Former premier Mahathir Mohammad, who has led calls for Najib's ouster accusing him of corruption and misgovernance and remains an influential figure, made an appearance at the rally like yesterday and said: "I think he (Najib) will not step down".

"He knows when he has no power, he may be made to face the court. The court may find him guilty and he may have to go to jail."

Mahathir asked organiser Bersih 4 participants not to get overly-excited as he headed towards the Merdeka square today where the massive rally is scheduled to continue until midnight to usher in Malaysia's 58th National Day. "But please don't push too much. Yesterday I tried to walk — and I appreciate people wanting to shake my hand - but if you push, I am an old man of 90, so you must treat me gently," he said with a smile.

Thousands of protesters clad in bright yellow T-shirts slept on streets near the Merdeka square last night and continued the rally today calling for electoral reforms.

There were almost 40,000 protesters at the square yesterday and the rally got an unexpected visitor in Mahathir who came to the protest last evening and again this morning.

Najib has been struggling to stay afloat for his political survival since The Wall Street Journal last month published documents showing nearly $700 million had been deposited in his personal bank accounts.

Demonstrators called for his resignation over the scandal even as authorities declared the rally illegal, blocked the organisers' website and banned their official bright yellow T-shirt and logo. Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, also the home minister in charge of domestic security, said the organisers face possible charges under assembly, sedition among others.

"What is important is that I am empowering the police to take action," Malaysian media quoted him as saying about the rally that has so far been peaceful.

Najib has denied the accusations while the anti-graft body said the money was not funnelled out of the debt-ridden state fund as alleged but was given by a Middle Eastern donor whose name has not been disclosed. — PTI 

Cops told to crack down 

• Authorities have declared the rally illegal, blocked the organisers' website and banned their official bright yellow T-shirt and logo
• Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi said he was empowering the police to take action against protesters, who faces possible charges under sedition

The scandal 

• The Wall Street Journal last month published documents showing nearly $700 million had been deposited in Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's (pic) personal bank accounts
• The anti-graft body said the money was not funnelled out of the debt-ridden state fund as alleged but was given by a Middle Eastern donor whose name has not been disclosed