Hundreds of people wearing white shirts bearing the MIC party logo were among Najib Abdul Razak’s supporters gathered at a Batu Caves temple today.
Chants of "Hidup Najib" (Long Live Najib) could be heard echoing through the Batu Caves Murugan Temple as the crowd - which included MIC deputy president M Saravanan - expressed solidarity with the imprisoned former premier.
MIC organised the special prayer session after it earlier pulled out of a planned rally in front of the Palace of Justice following an Istana Negara statement on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s prerogative to grant pardons, and a police warning against attending the rally.
Based on photos and videos of the event, there appeared to be hundreds of MIC members attending the event.
However, organisers claimed the participants numbered over 3,000 people, including those inside and outside the building, as well as those wandering in and out of the area.
The Putrajaya rally coincides with the Court of Appeal hearing Najib's bid today to confirm a royal addendum for house arrest.
The former Umno president is serving a six-year sentence at Kajang Prison following his corruption conviction in the SRC International case.
‘Keep politics out of religious places’
MIC's decision to hold a replacement gathering at the Hindu temple, however, sparked criticism from Deputy National Unity Minister K Saraswathy.
The PKR senator urged parties to keep politically motivated activities away from places of worship.
"I strongly condemn such politically motivated activities in the temple vicinity as religious spaces should only focus on spiritual, social, and community-oriented activities, without being influenced by political motives.
"Places of worship should remain sacred spaces dedicated to prayer, reflection, and spiritual upliftment, free from political agendas,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Saraswathy pointed out that community leaders and temple committees overseeing places of worship are responsible for upholding ethical standards to prevent political interference. - Mkini
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