KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were among several key opposition figures who turned up at the Turun Anwar rally today, in a major show of force calling for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down as prime minister.
Dr Mahathir drew loud cheers as he arrived at Dataran Merdeka wearing a black “Turun Anwar” T-shirt. He was mobbed by supporters chanting “Turun Anwar” and “Bangkit Rakyat”, before taking the stage for the rally’s final speech.
In a fiery address laced with sarcasm, the 100-year-old accused the prime minister of acting like “a judge and prosecutor” over the Batu Puteh dispute. He claimed Anwar had publicly declared him guilty without legal process.
“If I’ve committed a crime, take me to court. You’re not a judge – you’re the prime minister,” Mahathir said, before leading chants against his longtime rival.
“The people are fed up,” he added.
Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin also took the stage and criticised the government’s economic policies, criticising the blanket RM100 cash handout and urging for more targeted aid.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin led the crowd in prayers for Anwar’s resignation, hailing Mahathir as a “true warrior for the Malays”. Bersatu’s Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, meanwhile, said the rally was not personal, but meant to “save Malaysia” from “poor leadership”.
The leaders’ speeches were broadcast live on several opposition social media platforms, and several videos of the rally have been circulated on social media by the members of the opposition, as well as the public.
Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, who is Dr Mahathir’s son, accused Anwar of failing to deliver on his election promises and mishandling the economy.
“Prices are rising, subsidies are shrinking, investments are stagnant. We cannot rely on Anwar to fix this,” he said in his speech.
Leaders from Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party also took the stage, leading multilingual chants in Mandarin and Tamil to highlight the rally’s multiracial character. Wanita Bersatu chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin also led a sing-along which poked fun at the expanded SST.
The demonstration, which began with processions from four locations around the city, was heavily policed but largely peaceful. Participants in black attire marched with banners and placards criticising the government over the cost of living, free speech, and unfulfilled promises. At one point, a protester hoisted a portrait of jailed ex-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
PAS claimed a turnout of over 500,000, though police placed the figure between 10,000 and 15,000. Kuala Lumpur police implemented traffic diversions across 16 roads and maintained a strong presence along the route from Masjid Negara to Dataran Merdeka, assisted by PAS’ Unit Amal.
Anwar, speaking in Putrajaya hours before the rally, brushed off the protest with a joke: “I wasn’t invited.” His office had earlier said the government respected the right to peaceful assembly, provided it remained orderly and free of provocation. – July 26, 2025