(Reuters) — Malaysian protesters woke on Sunday (August 30) and prepared for the second day of an anti-government rally which saw thousands take to the streets the day before.
Nearly 5000 people spend the night outside, protest organisers Bersih estimated as part of protests calling for Prime Minister Najib Razak to step down.
Protesters gathered near Independence square on Sunday, which remains blocked off, and started their day with physical exercises while others attended mass at a catherdral.
Protesters remained determined to their cause.
“I feel very confident now because the people (of Malaysia) now are daring enough to stand up and distinguish what is good, what is bad,” said 67 year old, Toh Ah Mei from the eastern state of Pahang.
“We need to change, we don’t want a corruption country. So if the UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) people cannot take this kind of the stance I think we don’t want this kind of leader. We want a clean politicians behold this government,” said Isaish Jacob.
Tens of thousands took to the streets on Saturday (August 29) to demand the resignation of the prime minister over a multi-million-dollar payment into an account under his name.
Thousands joined a rally in Kuala Lumpur in a political crisis that has raged since reports in July that investigators probing the management of debt-laden state fund 1MDB had discovered the transfer of more than $600 million.
Najib, who denies wrongdoing, has weathered the storm and political analysts doubt the two-day rally will force him out of power.
The rally is expected to officially end at 11:59 p.m. (1559GMT) on Sunday, ahead of the nation’s Independence day on Monday (August 31).
