Parents seen bringing young children to opposition rally at Dataran Merdeka
Although the rally was scheduled to begin later in the afternoon, children accompanied by their parents were already present as early as 10.30am.
A single mother who declined to be named said she came all the way from Muar, Johor, to support the cause.
"I lost my husband in a hit-and-run accident last year and have been receiving RM1,100 from his pension since.
"I have two young children aged three and four, and my youngest is autistic," she said, adding that she was having trouble receiving aid from the current administration.
She claimed that all requests for aid, be it from the Welfare Department or Zakat, had failed as they said she was receiving a pension.
"How can I survive with two young children on such a low income?
"I'm not asking for a handout. I just want help in getting my food business operating well so I can take care of my family," she said when met outside a restaurant along Jalan Tun Perak today.
Meanwhile, when approached by NSTP reporters, one of the children said he was simply following his father, who was on duty as a member of Pas' volunteer corps, Jabatan Amal.
"I don't know much. I'm just following my dad who's on duty here," the child said.
Meanwhile, at Masjid Jamek, another rally participant who was seen with a small child claimed he was only there to shop for clothes.
When asked if he was aware of the prohibition against bringing young children to the rally at Dataran Merdeka, the man said he planned to return home around noon as he had to go to work.
"I won't be bringing my child to Dataran Merdeka later for the rally. I need to go home first because of work. I'll come back in the evening after I'm done," said the man, who lives in Gombak.
Police anticipate a turnout of between 10,000 and 15,000 people at today's rally.
Participants are set to gather at Masjid Negara, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, and Kompleks Sogo – before converging at Dataran Merdeka.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the police would facilitate the assembly.
A total of 16 roads will be closed for the rally, which is expected to end after 5.15pm.
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