PAS to mobilise 50,000 members for anti-ISA rally today
The anti-ISA protesters are planning to gather at the Sogo shopping centre, the national mosque and near Masjid Jamek at 2pm tomorrow before marching to Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum to the King.
By Adib Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider
Map shows the intended locations of the two rallies planned for tomorrow. — The Malaysian Insider graphic
PAS today promised to mobilise at least 50,000 of its members for the planned anti-ISA protest tomorrow.
Its vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said the Islamist party would continue to back the rally despite the warning from the authorities.
“We will proceed with the protest,” Salahuddin told The Malaysian Insider, saying that the party’s spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had declared that attending the rally is the responsibility of PAS members.
The protest is organised by anti-ISA group GMI, which is made up of political parties and NGOs including PAS.
Pro-opposition street protests usually depend on PAS’s backing to get a high turnout.
A protest calling for electoral reform in late 2007 was attended by more than 60,000 people after the Islamist party ordered its members to turn up.
“We advise our members not to be influenced by other parties, we have no intention of confronting other groups, it will be a peaceful protest,” said Salahuddin, referring to a pro-ISA rally planned by another group at the same time tomorrow.
The anti-ISA protesters are planning to gather at the Sogo shopping centre, the national mosque and near Masjid Jamek at 2pm tomorrow before marching to Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum to the King.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Awang, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are expected to lead the protest.
Meanwhile, the pro-ISA rally organisers say they will gather at the national mosque, Padang Merbok and the Central Market before heading towards Dataran Merdeka.
The pro-ISA group is headed by independent Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali.
