PUTRAJAYA: Crowds are starting to gather in front of the Palace of Justice here on Monday (Jan 4) ahead of the planned solidarity for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Some of Najib's supporters were seen wearing red T-shirts.
The police were seen manning roadblocks on routes entering Putrajaya as early as 6.30am.
There was also a heavy police presence in the vicinity surrounding the Palace of Justice.
Media personnel were also seen in front of the Palace of Justice.
A solidarity gathering had been planned on Monday to coincide with the Court of Appeal’s hearing related to an alleged royal addendum order that will apparently allow Najib to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest.
Initially, various parties and groups have stated that they will attend the solidarity gathering on Monday (Jan 6).
But, following a statement by Istana Negara and the advice of the Inspector-General of Police, several parties have stated they will not participate in the rally.
Istana Negara said in a statement that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had the prerogative to grant pardons, postpone sentences and relieve punishments for any offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan based on the provisions under Articles 42 (1) and 2 of the Federal Constitution.
So far, only PAS and several Malay-Muslim NGOs have stated that they will not back down from the gathering.