Police set up roadblocks, tighten security ahead of rally
Roadblocks were observed as early as 11pm yesterday, particularly on major highways and key access roads leading into the city centre. The checks were largely concentrated in densely populated urban areas and routes that serve as main arteries into downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Among the identified hotspots were Jalan Gombak, Jalan Kuching, Ampang, Jalan Putra Perdana, Pudu, the Cheras-Kajang Expressway, Jalan Loke Yew, Old Klang Road, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama, Jalan Bangsar, and Kajang.
Police personnel manning the roadblocks appeared to allow most vehicles through, intervening only when suspicions were aroused. Nevertheless, the heightened presence was clearly intended to act as a deterrent and to maintain order in the lead-up to the protest.
A strong police presence was also observed at Dataran Merdeka, where protesters are expected to gather at about 2pm. All access routes into Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad were sealed off with patrol vehicles, forcing traffic headed to Jalan Raja Laut, Masjid Jamek, and surrounding areas to divert.
The police have labelled the roadblocks and city-wide surveillance as precautionary measures in light of the rally's expected scale.
Speaking on the eve of the rally, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail reminded the public to follow the laws and observe their boundaries throughout the rally. He also reminded everyone to obey the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 to avoid unnecessary incidents.
Several major roads in the city centre are expected to be affected by traffic diversions in conjunction with the 'Turun Anwar' rally, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow morning.
Acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad had said the rally is set to begin simultaneously at five key locations - Masjid Negara, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, and Kompleks Sogo - before participants converge at Dataran Merdeka.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim responded to news of the rally with calm, asserting that dissent is a democratic right but should not be used to destabilise governance.
"I have no issue with people protesting, it's their right and part of the democratic process," he said, urging police to give full cooperation throughout the gathering.
The rally, reportedly spearheaded by a coalition of civil society groups and opposition-aligned activists, is aimed at pressuring Anwar to step down, citing dissatisfaction over economic performance and cost of living concerns.
Motorists entering the city are advised to plan alternate routes or use public transportation to avoid potential delays.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
People's views not same as those with lust for power, says PM's aide
The 'Turun Anwar' rally on Saturday was described by PAS as representing the people's vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. PETALING JAYA : The unity government will listen to all the people, and not just to the voices behind political microphones on rally stages, an aide to the prime minister said today. 'There is a big difference between the people's voice and the political agendas of certain parties who are trying to drag the people into validating their lust for power,' said Shamsul Iskandar Akin, senior political secretary to the prime minister. Shamsul Iskandar Akin. He said the government led by Anwar Ibrahim was built upon an electoral mandate and Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and his coalition partners should return to the electoral arena if they were confident that public sentiment about the government had shifted. 'Not through street rallies, not by inflating crowd numbers, and not by manipulating racial and religious issues to provoke emotions,' he said in a statement, Bernama reported. His statement comes in the wake of the 'Turun Anwar' rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, which police said was attended by an estimated 18,000 people. However, PAS officials claimed that 200,000 people took part. The rally was later described by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan as a vote of no confidence by the people against Anwar and he urged the prime minister to take heed of the turnout and resign instead of waiting for a confidence motion in the Dewan Rakyat. Shamsul said in a statement that the government respected the people's right to assemble and express opinions, and had ensured that no harsh action was taken, no tear gas fired, and no stages destroyed. 'The people's right to speak is protected. But their voices must not be exploited, and democracy must not be held hostage in the name of vengeance and power struggles,' he said.
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘Completely naked': Spanish teen under investigation after 16 classmates say AI nudes of them posted online
MADRID, July 27 — Spanish police have opened an investigation into a 17-year-old student accused of using artificial intelligence to generate and sell deepfake nude images of female classmates. Authorities launched the probe after 16 girls from an educational institute in the Valencia region reported that manipulated sexual images of them had been circulated online and on social media. The case began in December when one student filed a complaint, saying that AI-generated photos and a video — showing her 'completely naked' — had been posted to a fake social media account created in her name. According to a police statement, investigators later traced the IP addresses behind the accounts to the suspect's home, leading to his identification. He is now being investigated for the offence of corruption of minors. This is not the first time Spanish authorities have uncovered AI-generated explicit content involving minors. In March, the government announced plans to introduce legislation that would criminalise the creation of non-consensual AI-generated sexual imagery. The proposed law — which Madrid says would be the first of its kind in Europe — has not yet been passed by parliament. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Driver on rampage hits 2 cars, 2 motorcycles in George Town
The driver crashed into a car on Jalan Perak and continued his rampage until he reached the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, police said. GEORGE TOWN : A driver on a rampage collided with two cars and two motorcycles before he himself was hospitalised along with four others here last night. Five people were seriously injured and one slightly hurt in the incident that stretched from Jalan Perak to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, police said. Northeast district police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the car driven by the 50-year-old man hit the back of another car driven by a 44-year-old woman at the Jalan Perak traffic light junction at about 8.30pm. 'The man continued driving and hit two motorcycles at separate locations on Jalan Perak before rear-ending a second car on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway,' he said in a statement today. He said the driver suffered serious injuries. Also seriously injured were the two motorcyclists and one pillion rider, and the driver whose car he crashed into on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway. He said the case is being investigated under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for dangerous driving.
