About 500 join second anti-Azam rally in KL

 Rally-goers march towards Dataran Merdeka amid police presence, chanting slogans and holding placards.

Rally participants marching from the Sogo shopping mall towards Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, moving through wet streets following an earlier downpour.

KUALA LUMPUR:

 About 500 people gathered in the city centre this afternoon for a rally against outgoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki, despite the announcement of his successor.

The rally is the second held this year following a shareholding controversy involving Azam and allegations of MACC’s manipulation of corporate takeovers.

Dressed mostly in black, the participants are making their way towards Dataran Merdeka after gathering outside the Sogo shopping mall.

The rally was briefly disrupted after firecrackers were reportedly set off, causing commotion among participants.

Police cordoned off an area near the rally site where firecrackers had been reportedly set off earlier.

Amid heavy police presence, including the Federal Reserve Unit, the rally-goers chanted slogans like “Hidup Rakyat” and “Tangkap Azam Baki”, and held placards reading “Reformasi SPRM (Reform MACC)”.

Among those present were Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, PSM deputy chairman S Arutchelvan, Urimai chairman P Ramasamy, PKR’s Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung and Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, DAP’s Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong and Bersih chairman Faisal Abdul Aziz.

Also present were PAS Youth information chief Khairul Nadzir Helmi and Bersatu Youth exco member Na’im Brundage.

Police formed a human barricade, preventing rally-goers from reaching Dataran Merdeka.

At around 4.20pm, the group reached Jalan Raja but was stopped from moving further towards Dataran Merdeka after police formed a human barricade blocking their path.

Earlier, it was announced that former High Court judge Abdul Halim Aman will succeed Azam from May 13.

Azam has served as MACC chief since March 9, 2020, and remained in office beyond retirement age through three one-year contract extensions in 2023, 2024 and 2025. - FMT