2,000 attend 'Malaysia Bangkit Untuk Gaza' rally at Dataran Merdeka
The rally, which began at 4pm, brought together various segments of society and included participants from 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from across the country.
A Harian Metro observation found that attendees started marching towards Dataran Merdeka from nearby areas, such as Masjid Jamek, Masjid Negara, and city-centre shopping malls, from 5pm. They carried Palestinian flags and banners condemning Zionist aggression.
Among those who attended were Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) chief activist, Datuk Nadzim Johan; politician Chua Tian Chang; and Terengganu Menteri Besar's Office special officer for non-Islamic affairs, Dr Balachandran Gopal Krishnan.
Police kept a close watch on the peaceful assembly, closing major roads leading to Dataran Merdeka to ensure the event's smooth and safe progression.
The event featured nasyid performances, poetry, and a flash mob in the opening session. Other segments included speeches and performances by young people, followed by Maghrib prayers, Solat Hajat, and special prayers (munajat), as well as a forum on Gaza.
A special screening on the suffering of the people in Gaza was also held before speeches by political figures, NGOs, and international representatives, concluding with the reading of the Malaysia For Palestine Declaration.
Yesterday, Harian Metro reported that police expected 5,000 people to attend the rally at Dataran Merdeka. The Dang Wangi District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman, said attendees from NGOs, universities, and the public would gather at three main locations, Masjid Negara, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, and Sogo, before moving to Dataran Merdeka.
According to international media reports, Israel has closed all crossings into the Gaza Strip since March 2, 2025, blocking the entry of most food and medical aid and causing widespread famine.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned that malnutrition rates among children under five have doubled between March and June due to the ongoing blockade.
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