The PAS Ulama Council has urged all Malaysians to participate in the upcoming mass rally at Dataran Merdeka this Saturday, declaring it a moral and religious obligation to voice dissent against the current administration.
Council chief Ahmad Yahaya said the gathering reflects the public’s growing frustration with the Madani government, which he accused of veering further away from the people’s aspirations.
“The promises made prior to coming into power have now become burdensome. Government policies are stifling the rakyat on a daily basis,” he said in a statement.
“The PAS Ulama Council emphasises that it is the duty of every citizen, both morally and religiously, to speak the truth in the face of injustice.”
Ahmad further likened the Unity Government to a “runaway bus,” suggesting that the current leadership poses a continuous risk to public well-being due to its preoccupation with political optics over meaningful governance.
“We urge Malaysians of all walks of life to rally peacefully and with discipline this Saturday. This is a critical moment for us to make our voices heard, for the dignity of our nation and the future of our children,” he added.
The rally is organised by Perikatan Nasional (PN), of which PAS is a component party, and aims to press for the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. While organisers anticipate up to 300,000 attendees, a previous demonstration in Shah Alam earlier this month drew just over 300 participants.
Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki Hafizahullah warned against frequent government changes, deeming them inconsistent with Islamic values. However, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man clarified that the cleric’s views were personal and did not reflect the party’s official position.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar has instructed all civil servants to refrain from joining the rally, stating that participation would conflict with the national principle of loyalty to king and country.
In response, Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek contended that the Chief Secretary’s directive lacks legal grounding and contradicts the Federal Constitution.
“Criticism, dissent, and public protest are cornerstones of any functioning democracy,” said Zaid.
“Civil servants are constitutionally entitled to attend the rally. Should any individual face repercussions for exercising these rights, we are prepared to offer legal support,” he added.
