KUALA LUMPUR: The Save Malaysia rally will still go on this Saturday (Sept 16) despite three Perikatan Nasional leaders being called up by police.
The rally's coordinator Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, said despite "intimidation shown by the authorities", including calling up Perikatan Nasional leaders, the rally will go on while the details will be finalised soon.
"The organisers will have a coordination meeting tonight to finalise the details.
"We will make an announcement tomorrow once everything has been sorted out," he told reporters outside Dang Wangi police headquarters on Wednesday (Sept 13).
Chegubard called on all Malaysians to take part in the rally in conjunction with Malaysia Day l, which falls on Saturday.
"We aim to champion freedom of speech and voice our intention to march and save Malaysia.
"The biggest issue we are voicing is how come the charges against Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were dropped despite the prosecution initially finding prime facie in the case," he said.
Chegubard said the organisers expect thousands to take part in Saturday's rally.
Asked about the expected routes for the rally, he said it would be held in the middle of Kuala Lumpur.
"We will finalise the routes and make the proper announcement.
"Our priority is the safety of all rally participants," he added.
Asked about the possible participation of red shirts led by Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos, Chegubard said it is their right to gather.
"We are pro-freedom of speech so if those from the opposing side want to join, then by all means," he said.
Earlier, police recorded the statements of Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, Perikatan Nasional Youth chief Fadhli Shaari and Gombak Setia assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham at 11am on Wednesday.
Fadhli said they gave full cooperation with the police.
"We respect the police's duties thus we have cooperated," he said.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said the issue of the police prohibiting the rally should not arise as the organisers have already submitted the notice on the rally to Dang Wangi police on Sunday (Sept 10).
"The police did not ask about the rally at all or told us not to have the rally on Saturday. They only asked about the press conference announcing the rally.
"The organisers will have a meeting tonight to finalise the details," he added.
