In conjunction with Pakatan Harapan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's 1,000th day of imprisonment for his second sodomy conviction, opposition leaders and supporters tonight took to the streets from Parliament to Dataran Merdeka.
About 200 of them gathered in front of Parliament, holding placards with the words "1,000 hari pengorbanan" (1,000 days of sacrifice) at 8pm before they started marching towards Dataran Merdeka, situated two kilometres away.
Chanting "bebas Anwar" (free Anwar), "hidup rakyat" (long live the people) and "reformasi", the group grew bigger as they reached Dataran Merdeka.
Police personnel present along the route did not prevent the group from marching and gathering at Dataran Merdeka.
Among those present tonight were PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, party leaders Nurul Izzah Anwar, Saifuddin Abdullah, Fuziah Salleh, Tian Chua, R Sivarasa, Zuraida Kamaruddin and Johari Abdul.
DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Anthony Loke and Teng Chang Khim, as well as Amanah leader Khalid Samad and PAS lawmaker Mahfuz Omar, also lent their support for tonight's event.
Candles arranged to form the words "Anwar's 1,000 days in prison" were lit as a symbol of Anwar's current predicament.
Wan Azizah (photo) in her speech spoke about Anwar's physical pain and having to depend on painkillers due to an accident in September.
"It's torture but he is willing to go through it to free our country.
"So we should not forget the sacrifices of not only Anwar but all those who have sacrificed," she said.
Tonight, added Wan Azizah, was a night to remember Anwar.
"This sacrifice has a basis. Don't forget that this is an investment for the future generation."
Apart from Wan Azizah's speech, other Harapan leaders also took the opportunity to make short speeches in relation to Anwar.
The crowd dispersed after a prayer which called for the release of Anwar, among others.
In March 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the High Court which acquitted Anwar of sodomy and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment.
The Federal Court on Feb 10, 2015, upheld the conviction of Anwar on his sodomy charges.- Mkini
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