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Malaysia opposition set for protest rally after poll Malaysia opposition holds protest at vote result
(about 4 hours later)
Malaysia's opposition is set for a rally against alleged fraud in the recent election, even as police said the gathering was illegal. Thousands of Malaysian opposition supporters have rallied against alleged fraud in the election, defying police who said the protest was illegal.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim called the protest after what he said were "stolen" polls, won by PM Najib Razak's ruling coalition.Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim called the protest after what he said were "stolen" polls, won by PM Najib Razak's ruling coalition.
Mr Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN, National Front) coalition won 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats on Sunday. Mr Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN or National Front) coalition won 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats on Sunday.
It was the coalition's worst result in more than half a century in power.It was the coalition's worst result in more than half a century in power.
While it secured a simple majority, it failed to regain the two-thirds parliamentary majority it lost for the first time in 2008.While it secured a simple majority, it failed to regain the two-thirds parliamentary majority it lost for the first time in 2008.
The three-party opposition alliance - which mounted its strongest-ever challenge to the coalition - says the results were marred by fraud. The BN has vehemently denied the opposition's allegations of cheating and accused Mr Anwar of deliberately choosing a small stadium on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur for the rally to ensure it would spill onto the streets.
It says examples included allowing foreigners to vote, indelible ink that washed off voters' fingers and government-funded flights for supporters to key states - claims the government has denied. But the three-party opposition alliance - which mounted its strongest-ever challenge to the coalition - has called for a recount.
Mr Anwar has called on supporters to gather at Kelana Jaya Stadium outside the capital, Kuala Lumpur, at 20:30 local time (12:30 GMT) on Wednesday. Up to 40,000 protesters, many dressed in mourning black, gathered at the demonstration to denounce the results. Participants filled the stadium's stands and spilled onto the football field.
"This shall be a beginning for a fierce movement to clean this country from election malpractice and fraud, for there is no opportunity for renewal without a clean and fair elections," Mr Anwar told Reuters news agency on Tuesday. They complain that indelible ink - meant to prevent multiple voting - could be easily washed off and that accounts abound of a government scheme to fly tens of thousands of "dubious" - and possibly foreign - voters to flood key constituencies.
The United States has also raised questions about the conduct of the election, with the White House urging the government to address concerns.
'Fierce movement'
Mr Anwar called on his supporters to gather at Kelana Jaya Stadium at 20:30 local time (12:30 GMT) on Wednesday.
"This shall be a beginning for a fierce movement to clean this country from election malpractice and fraud, for there is no opportunity for renewal without a clean and fair elections," Mr Anwar had told Reuters news agency on Tuesday.
"Enough of this oppression. Please for once, for once, see the change in the mood of the people.""Enough of this oppression. Please for once, for once, see the change in the mood of the people."
But National Police Chief Ismail Omar told state news agency Bernama on Tuesday the protest was illegal because it did not have a permit. But National Police Chief Ismail Omar told state news agency Bernama on Tuesday the protest was illegal because organisers did not have a permit.
"The organiser must comply with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012," he said. "Marching without [a] permit aimed at arousing anger is wrong according to the law."
Organisers need to apply for a permit with local police 10 days before a rally, under what critics consider a controversial law.
The government also issued a statement reported by Reuters on Wednesday saying that Mr Anwar's protest was "calculated to create unrest".
"Anwar has deliberately refused to apply for permission for his protest, and deliberately chosen a small stadium to ensure it will spill onto the streets," it said.
But Tian Chua, spokesman for the opposition, said the protest was lawful.But Tian Chua, spokesman for the opposition, said the protest was lawful.
"Strictly speaking, the police do not have the power to ban a rally which is held within a stadium," he told Radio Australia."Strictly speaking, the police do not have the power to ban a rally which is held within a stadium," he told Radio Australia.
He added that under the law, people have the right to hold a peaceful gathering if the owners of the venue agree.He added that under the law, people have the right to hold a peaceful gathering if the owners of the venue agree.
The government has insisted that the 5 May polls were free and fair, and say that evidence of fraud should be presented.The government has insisted that the 5 May polls were free and fair, and say that evidence of fraud should be presented.
Despite this however independent watchdogs Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) and the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CCPS) said there were "serious flaws". However, the independent Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) and the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CCPS) watchdogs have said there were "serious flaws".
"Having conducted an independent and impartial observation of the elections, Ideas and CPPS conclude that [the election] was only partially free and not fair," its joint report said."Having conducted an independent and impartial observation of the elections, Ideas and CPPS conclude that [the election] was only partially free and not fair," its joint report said.
Irregularities included questions over campaign spending and the Election Commission's independence from the government coalition.Irregularities included questions over campaign spending and the Election Commission's independence from the government coalition.
The watchdogs also cited inequalities in how the constituencies were marked. The watchdogs also cited inequalities in how the constituencies were demarcated.