The Malaysian Prime Minister reverses stance on protest, allowing it to proceed despite earlier opposition from authorities.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on January 24 that he has no objections to civil society and opposition parties holding a street rally in Kuala Lumpur on January 25. This comes after public pressure and the earlier stance of the police and home minister, who had insisted that such events required special permits.

The rally, organised by the People’s Secretariat Against Corruption, has garnered significant attention, with critics accusing Anwar and his Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition of hypocrisy. They noted that Anwar, in his previous role as opposition leader, had consistently condemned the government for blocking peaceful protests, despite now being in power himself.

Anwar distanced himself from the government’s previous position, stating, “We have no problem with the rally… Permission has been granted. The Home Minister himself has confirmed this.” However, he also emphasised that approval had not been given for all locations, clarifying that no issues would arise on his end. “For me, there’s no issue,” he added.

This shift comes after growing public dissatisfaction, particularly following a joint statement issued by nine former presidents of the Malaysian Bar. The statement criticised the current government for failing to uphold judicial independence, especially in light of recent controversial court rulings.

Despite granting approval for the rally, Anwar expressed doubt about the occurrence of corruption under his leadership, reiterating his stance as an anti-graft advocate. Since taking office after the 2022 general election, Anwar has faced accusations of being lenient towards corruption, particularly concerning his political allies in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

The rally organiser aims to bring together around 50 organisations, with participation expected from key opposition groups, including Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. Critics of Anwar’s coalition have highlighted the acquittals of prominent UMNO figures, such as Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi and Rosmah Mansor, in corruption cases as a sign of the government’s unwillingness to address corruption within its ranks.

The protest’s agenda includes three key demands: separating the Attorney-General’s Chambers from the Prime Minister’s Office, ensuring the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) operates free of political interference, and enacting a long-awaited political funding law.

While the rally will proceed, authorities have warned that participants must adhere to regulations, including the prohibition of sharp objects and the presence of minors. The Home Minister, Saifuddin Nasution, confirmed that the government would respect the freedom of assembly and ensure the event complies with the Peaceful Assembly Act.

Anwar’s government has faced scrutiny over its handling of corruption cases involving political allies, and the rally is seen as a test of the administration’s commitment to anti-corruption reforms.