Giving their full cooperation: (From left) Fadhli, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal and Muhammad Hilman (in brown jacket) leaving Dang Wangi police headquarters while accompanied by lawyers after having their statements recorded. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Save Malaysia Rally will still proceed on Saturday despite three Perikatan Nasional leaders being called up by the police, says the rally’s coordinator.
Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, said despite the “intimidation” shown by the authorities, including calling up Perikatan leaders, details of the event are being worked on.
“The organisers will have a coordination meeting to finalise the details.
“We will make an announcement tomorrow (Thursday) once everything have been sorted out,” he told reporters outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters here yesterday.
Badrul Hisham called on all Malaysians to take part in the rally in conjunction with Malaysia Day, which falls on Saturday.
“Our aim is to champion freedom of speech and voicing our intention to march and save Malaysia.
“The biggest issue we are voicing is how the charges against Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were dropped despite the prosecution initially finding prime facie in the case,” he said, adding that the organisers are expecting thousands at Saturday’s rally.
Asked on expected route for rally, he said it will definitely be held in the middle of Kuala Lumpur.
“We will finalise the route and make a proper announcement. Our priority is the safety of all rally participants,” he said.
On possible participation of the “red shirts” led by Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos, Badrul Hisham 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.
Police recorded the statements of Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, Perikatan Youth chief Fadhli Shaari and Gombak Setia assembylan Muhammad Hilman Idham at 11am yesterday.
Fadhli said they gave full cooperation to the police.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said the issue of the police prohibiting the rally should not arise as the organisers had submitted the notice on the rally to the Dang Wangi police last Sunday.
“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,” he added.
