Thousands converge on Dataran Merdeka for 'Turun Anwar' rally
KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): The "Turun Anwar" rally culminated this Saturday afternoon with a significant crowd filling Dataran Merdeka, having marched from various points across Kuala Lumpur to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This politically charged demonstration, organised by the federal opposition Perikatan Nasional, marks the first large-scale street mobilisation against the Anwar-led unity government since the 15th general election in 2022.
Organisers claimed a turnout of 500,000 people at Dataran Merdeka, though this figure could not be independently verified. Police, however, estimated the actual turnout to be around 18,000.
For visual context, the crowd was seen to have filled the space from the edge of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building all the way to the National Textile Museum, with many sitting closely packed and some spilling over into nearby streets.
The protestors' call for resignation is directed solely at Anwar’s leadership as prime minister, rather than at dismantling the broader coalition government, which includes Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, and others.
Participants gathered at four main points — Dataran Sogo, Masjid Jamek, Masjid Negara, and Pasar Seni — as early as 11am, with a few arriving a day earlier, ahead of a planned march to Dataran Merdeka by 2.30pm, where speeches by organisers and political figures are scheduled to begin at 3pm.
Many protestors were clad in black T-shirts printed with “Himpunan Turun Anwar” and carried placards bearing slogans such as “Rakyat adalah Boss” (The people are the boss). The crowd appeared to be predominantly Malay, although a few non-Malay participants were also visible.
Protestors accused Anwar of failing to deliver meaningful improvements to the lives of ordinary Malaysians. This is despite the government having announced headline-grabbing strong macroeconomic indicators and an influx of high-profile foreign investments.
Organisers of the "Turun Anwar" rally outlined 100 reasons — although one entry is repeated, bringing the actual number to 99 — with many of the grievances directed at concerns about judicial independence, especially relating to the controversial “addendum” in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s case, as well as claims of selective prosecution, nepotism in public appointments, and political interference in government-linked companies.
Identity-related issues were also being raised, with the accusations of marginalisation of Malay history and culture, with specific references to the heritage status of Kampung Baru Cina, the redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru, and debates around the role of Bahasa Malaysia and national narratives.
During the rally, several vendors were seen selling “Turun Anwar” T-shirts without permits. A visible police presence was observed in parts of the city centre and the Federal Reserve Unit were also seen, although the gathering remained peaceful.
Protestors from the four key gathering points marched towards Dataran Merdeka after performing Zohor prayers in congregation, chanting “Turun Anwar”, “Anwar letak jawatan" and "Reformati" — a play on Pakatan Harapan's rally call "Reformasi" and "Mati", signalling that the reform movement is dead — repeatedly.
Ironically, the rally culminated at the very site where Anwar himself had once galvanised support during the Reformasi movement in 1998 following his dismissal by then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Dataran Merdeka also hosted five massive Bersih rallies between 2007 and 2016, which drew tens of thousands of protestors demanding institutional reform, electoral transparency, and an end to corruption.
Most attendees interviewed by The Edge expressed frustration with Anwar’s leadership, particularly over the rising cost of living and wages that have not kept pace. Others voiced concern about recent government decisions such as the sale of shares in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to foreign entities.
“Anwar rarely defends issues like Malay reserve land, even though he himself is Malay. Where was he when the people needed him? That’s not to mention national assets being sold off to foreign countries,” said one protestor, a 58-year-old Prasarana Malaysia Bhd employee from Kedah and currently residing at Kepong, who declined to be named.
Despite a drizzle beginning at around 3.15pm, the crowd at Dataran Merdeka remained undeterred.
Some tensions arose when the organisers’ main lorry — used earlier for speeches by figures including activist Rafidah Ibrahim, who addressed the Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment issue — was reportedly blocked from entering the square. But the situation was resolved quickly.
Opposition says it has a candidate — 'What matters is Anwar steps down'
An opposition member from Arau, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, told The Edge, “We in the opposition are ready, and we already have a candidate. What matters now is for Anwar Ibrahim and his political party to step down,” while sheltering from the rain under an umbrella held by a reporter.
Many at the rally complained of difficulty in getting mobile network connection in the area, including the media covering the event. Several protestors said they were having trouble posting photos and videos online.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia secretary general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali claimed that the crowd at the rally reflected growing public frustration over what he alleged as Anwar’s unfulfilled promises.
In a speech at the rally, he stressed that Anwar must step down, adding that the opposition is ready to form a government that truly represents Malaysia’s multiracial makeup.
100-year-old Dr Mahathir continues to throw punches at his political rival
As the 128-year-old clock on the Sultan Abdul Samad Building struck five times, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad — who is just 28 years younger than the building — took the stage to deliver a scathing speech, taking aim at his longtime bitter rival Anwar for pre-empting judicial outcomes in the Pulau Batu Puteh sovereignty dispute.
“You’re not a judge; you’re a prime minister. You have no right to say who is guilty or not,” Dr Mahathir said, also bringing up the same question about the need for continued legal action against the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, even towards the end of his life.
“In the past two years, what have you gained? You’re enjoying yourself while the people suffer,” he added, accusing the Anwar government of failing Malaysians.
Overall, among those present for the "Turun Anwar" rally were opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin from Bersatu, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Perikatan Nasional secretary general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance secretary general Nurainie Haziqah Shafi’l.
The rally ended with a recitation of the qunut nazilah, a supplicatory prayer for protection from oppression: “O Allah, who revealed the Qur’an, who drives the clouds, who vanquishes the confederates — destroy them and help us against them,” before the crowd stood together for the national anthem Negaraku.
As the skies cleared, the crowd dispersed peacefully.
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