March leaders to stay overnight near Dataran

Himpunan Hijau leaders will spend the night in open air near Dataran Merdeka in hopes that their act of protest would elicit a response from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Speaking to reporters after Himpunan Hijau’s 300km protest march, chairperson Wong Tack said he hoped that Najib could meet them to listen "the voice of the people".

Asked what would happen if the premier does not show up, he said that Najib and his administration will then lose their credibility.

"If Prime Minister doesn't come down to meet us by tomorrow, then (it means that) the government (has) abandoned the people... the choice (of who to vote for) is ours in next general election."

The 13-day day 300 km walk from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur arrived to its final destination – the iconic Dataran Merdeka – at about 5pm today.

Beginning with just 70 people, the number of participants gradually grew before snowballing to about 20,000 people by the time they reach their destination.

Himpunan Hijau’s leaders plan to spend the night in Dataran Merdeka - which is cordoned off by the police - until tomorrow morning where they expect several lawmakers to come meet them.

Originally, the intention was to set camp within Dataran Merdeka, but city hall has closed it off.

Wong has made it clear that they are not rallying the public to join the camp out, but will not stop the public from doing so.

Logistical arrangements

The police has thus far made no attempts to impede Himpunan Hijau's march, other than to cordon off Dataran Merdeka.

Himpunan Hijau coordinator Lee Chin Chen toldMalaysiakini that some of the movement’s committee members, with cooperation from PAS’ unit amal, will be looking after those in the area.

“We don’t know whether the police will allow us to set up tents,” he said, adding that he was unsure how many people will be joining them, since it is entirely voluntary.

He urge those who will be joining them to bring sleeping bags and tents as Himpunan Hijau will be giving priority, in terms of equipment, to the original group who has been marching from Kuantan.
He added that Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng had pledged to provide some manpower for security. 

As for sanitary arrangements, Lee said those who are staying over have been instructed to use public toilets and toilets in nearby restaurants.

“There are also some participant from Kuala Lumpur, and we will bath at their houses as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wong said that he would be returning to Kuantan tomorrow afternoon in order to organise activities to stop Lynas' shipments.