Tens of thousands of Malaysians took to the capital鈥檚 streets on Saturday to protest rising living costs and a perceived lack of reform by prime minister Anwar Ibrahim鈥檚 unity government.
The rally organised by opposition parties marked the first major protest in Southeast Asia鈥檚 sixth-largest economy since Anwar was propelled to power after general elections in 2022.
Protesters gathered at various points around the city centre before converging on the central Merdeka, Independence, Square in drizzling rain, carrying placards saying 鈥楾urun Anwar鈥欌�斺�橲tep down Anwar鈥� in Malay鈥攚hile police kept a close eye.
鈥楬e [Anwar] has already governed the country for three years and has yet to fulfil the promises he made,鈥� said protester Fauzi Mahmud, 35, from Selangor just outside the capital.
Anwar 鈥榟as been to many countries to bring investments, but we have yet to see anything,鈥� Fauzi told AFP, referring to the premier鈥檚 recent trips, including to Russia and Europe.
鈥楾he cost of living is still high,鈥� the engineer said.
Speaking at the rally, political veteran and Anwar鈥檚 one-time mentor, now sworn political rival, Mahathir Mohamad told the crowd: 鈥業t鈥檚 been three years, what have the people got? I think he [Anwar] enjoys seeing us suffer.鈥�
鈥楨nough, please, step down,鈥� said Mahathir, who last month celebrated his 100th birthday and is one of the world鈥檚 longest-living politicians.
Police and city officials estimated that between 18,000 and 50,000 protesters took part in the rally.
Anwar was appointed premier on a reformist ticket and promised to tackle graft, nepotism and cronyism within the Southeast Asian nation鈥檚 fractured political system.
Days ahead of the rally, the premier laid out a string of populist measures aimed at addressing concerns, including a 100 Malaysian ringgit cash handout for all adult citizens and a promise to cut fuel prices.
Anwar on Wednesday also added that about 18 million Malaysian motorists would be eligible to purchase subsidised medium-octane fuel at 1.99 ringgit per litre, compared to the current price of 2.05 ringgit.
Political analysts viewed the announcements as a strategic move to appease increasing public frustration and dissuade people from joining Saturday鈥檚 march.
Norhamizah Mohamed, 48, from Besut on the northeast coast said she came to protest to ensure that 鈥楢nwar does what he promised in the election manifesto.鈥�
鈥業t鈥檚 not that we don鈥檛 like him, but we don鈥檛 like the way he is running the country.鈥�
鈥極nly after we had decided to do this protest he announced the goodies for the people,鈥� she told AFP.
Saturday鈥檚 protest also comes as political parties gradually gear up for elections, which by law have to be held no later than mid-February 2028.
A recent survey by Malaysia-based independent Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research found the majority of Malaysian voters gave Anwar a positive approval rating of 55 per cent.
Reasons included the easing of political turmoil in recent years as well as efforts to significantly raise Malaysia鈥檚 profile through this year鈥檚 chairmanship of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.