PKR plans 100,000-strong rally for Sodomy II verdict
(The Malaysian Insider) – Pakatan Rakyat (PR) said today it will gather 100,000 people on Monday to support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when the Kuala Lumpur High Court decides if the opposition leader is guilty of sodomy.
PKR deputy president Azmin Ali told reporters today the opposition pact had agreed to mobilise and gather at the Duta Court Complex despite police warnings against any public rally when the court rules in Anwar’s two-year-long trial.
“The system is so rotten, we have to expect the worst-case scenario,” the Gombak MP said. “Along with PAS and DAP, we will gather 100,000 people at the court to show our support to the cause fought by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.”
He also warned that public rallies would continue until the next general election if the former deputy prime minister was found guilty.
“We will continue. The same night we have a programme in Penang. If he is acquitted, then Anwar will celebrate in his home state. If not, we will go to Penang and continue our demands,” he said.
Selangor PAS chief Dr Rani Osman also said the Islamist party had called on all divisions to mobilise and “even those in Sabah and Sarawak want to join”.
Anwar is accused of sodomising a former aide, a charge that he has vehemently denied, saying that it is part of a ploy to destroy his political career.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court heard closing submissions from December 8 to 15 and will deliver its verdict on Monday, ahead of a general election that must be called by early 2013.
