KUALA LUMPUR — Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur today in a major demonstration—dubbed “Turun Anwar” (Step Down, Anwar)—demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over rising living costs, unfulfilled reform promises, and alleged authoritarian tendencies.
Massive Show of Dissent
Police estimated attendance peaked between 10,000 and 15,000, while opposition leaders claimed it could exceed 300,000 protesters, signalling one of the largest challenges to a sitting Malaysian leader in nearly a decade.
Participants gathered at four key meeting points—Masjid Negara, SOGO shopping complex, Pasar Seni, and KLCC—before marching to Dataran Merdeka, the historic Independence Square, wearing black in solidarity and chanting for Anwar to step down.
Political Figures Amplify Message
Former prime ministers Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin, along with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, were expected to speak at the rally, lending weight to demands framed by the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional.
Government Appears Cautious but Tolerant
Though civil servants were cautioned that attending the rally could invite discipline, the government allowed the event to proceed. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had urged police to facilitate a peaceful protest in keeping with democratic principles.
Authorities ramped up security, with over 2,000 officers deployed to manage expected crowds of up to 15,000—though actual attendance could exceed that number.
Grievances at the Core of Protest
Protesters voiced deep frustration with the living costs fueled by recent policy decisions such as electricity tariff hikes, new taxes on goods and services, and a delay in subsidy reforms. The protest followed the government’s July 23 announcement of relief measures, including a one-off RM100 cash handout for all adults and reductions in fuel prices—moves critics say came too late to address mounting public dissatisfaction.
Moreover, calls intensified for the fulfilment of reform pledges—such as judicial independence, separation of the Attorney-General’s Office from the PM’s office, and an independent MACC—as corruption investigations involving senior figures like Najib Razak and Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi triggered public outcry over perceived government leniency.
Why It Matters
| Dimension | Significance |
|---|---|
| Political Stability | The largest rally in years signals growing dissatisfaction with Anwar’s leadership. |
| Economic Anger | Fuelling demand for relief as measures appear reactive rather than structural. |
| Democratic Legitimacy | Protest tests government’s commitment to peaceful protest and dissent. |
| Reform Expectations | Highlights gap between campaign promises and perceived reform delivery. |
| Opposition Momentum | Perikatan Nasional and PAS, galvanizing support ahead of future elections. |
