CONFUSION arose at Dataran Merdeka when members of the police force intervened after rally organisers set up their stage at the Dataran.
Police said the organisers had no permission to set up a stage at Dataran Merdeka, with acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad saying the organisers did not apply for any permit to set up a temporary stage at Dataran.
The stage has since been removed by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur.
He said there were safety concerns over the stage’s structure, adding that there was no indication as to how many people would be on the stage at any one time.
“The earlier agreement between the police and the organisers was that two Toyota Hiluxes would be used as a ‘stage,’” he said in a brief statement to the media.
Nevertheless, according to reports, Takiyuddin expressed disappointment with the authorities for asking organisers to reopen the stage at Dataran Merdeka.
“The police should be facilitating the organisers, not making things more difficult,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader Tian Chua was announced at the Turun Anwar rally as a participant, while former Bersih leader Mandeep Singh has extended his support to participants of today’s rally.
Mandeep encouraged participants to celebrate democracy peacefully and responsibly.
In a Facebook post, he urged attendees to state their demands with facts, avoid emotional arguments, keep the area clean, support local traders near Dataran Merdeka, and prioritise safety.
“The right to assemble is the right of every citizen,” he emphasised.
Mandeep also shared practical tips for rally-goers based on past Bersih experiences and posted a photo from the 2015 Bersih 4 rally, recalling the massive turnout against the former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak administration.
The rally attendees are also informed that former PKR politician Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, will also be appearing at the checkpoint before marching to Dataran Merdeka at 2pm.
Meanwhile, over a thousand rally participants gathered outside the Sogo shopping mall, where PAS leader Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan addressed members of PAS’ Unit Amal.
The crowd chanted “Pudin” in reference to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail while waving at passing police vehicles.
However, traffic along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman came to a halt after large crowds from the opposition rally occupied the traffic junction in front of the Sogo shopping complex around 12.30pm.
Although the road had not been initially closed, police later blocked it using their motorcycles due to the overwhelming presence of demonstrators.
Vehicles from Chow Kit had to be redirected via Jalan Dang Wangi and the route between Sogo and Kompleks Pertama. Traffic police, supported by the Royal Malaysia Police Mounted Unit, were on-site to manage the situation.
Protesters also gathered at other locations, including Pasar Seni, Masjid Negara, Masjid Jamek, and Kampung Baru, before heading to the main venue at Dataran Merdeka. Crowds filled areas around Kompleks Pertama, Kompleks Campbell, and the old Odeon cinema.
At Pasar Seni, Bersatu Armada exco Na’im Brundage delivered a speech under police monitoring, with the situation reported to be calm and under control. — July 26, 2025
Main photo credit: Malay Mail
