Thousands of people gathered in the capital of Malaysia on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as public discontent grows on the increase in life costs and accusations of not delivering promised reforms.
Protesters, especially wearing black and bandanal t -shirts that carry the slogan “Polecat Anwar “, or” Reduces Anwar “, marched through the heart of Kuala Lumpur, before converging in the city’s independence square to listen to the speeches of the main opposition leaders.
Police estimated that at least 18,000 attended.
Anwar, who campaigned on a reformist platform before assuming the position in November 2022, has faced criticism about the measures aimed at promoting government income, including an expanded sales and services and subsidy adjustments that some fear could lead to an increase in consumer prices.
The prime minister announced this week a cash brochure, greater help for poor homes and a promise to reduce fuel prices, in an attempt to quell concerns about growing costs.
The protester Nur Shahirah Leman, 23, a member of a group of Islamic students, said he was worried that the new taxes, as well as the highest electricity rates imposed on large companies, eventually transferred to consumers.
“These taxes apply to manufacturers, so food prices would automatically affect,” he said.
Anwar has also faced judicial interference claims and doubts about his commitment to anti -corruption efforts, after prosecutors abandoned graft charges against several figures allied to the government and after a recent delay in the appointment of the main judges of the country.
Anwar has repeatedly denied interfering in the courts.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who turned 100 this month, joined the demonstration and accused Anwar of misuse of his position to process political rivals, positions that the prime minister has previously rejected.
“Those who are innocent are accused, those who have done wrong are letting go,” Mahathir told the crowd. Mahathir and Anwar, his former protected converted into a rival, have been locked in an intense dispute that has dominated Malaysia’s policy for almost three decades.
The couple repaired the fences to expel the Government of Barisan Nasional of long governorship in 2018, but their coalition collapsed in less than two years amid internal struggles.
