Protesters demand Malaysian PM’s resignation over graft

Bersih, which means “clean” in Malay, is an alliance of scores of NGOs and civil-society groups that staged several protests over the years for electoral reform, but has now shifted focus to 1MDB. “We want to see Malaysia more developed and not robbed of billions of ringgit [Malaysia’s currency]”, said Wan Aisyah Wan Ariffin, an opposition supporter. “The government is very cowardly, trying to prevent a demonstration, which is the right of the people”.

Najib has faced criticism since the Wall Street Journal reported previous year that around $700 million from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was diverted into the personal bank account of the prime minister.

1MDB is at the center of investigations in the U.S. and other countries.

“Otherwise there will be chaos in the country and the people will suffer”, said Najib, who earlier had slammed Bersih rallies as a tool for the opposition to unseat the government. “It’s the opposition who wants reforms and a democratic government that won’t misuse the law”, Tun Dr Mahathir told the crowd that gathered at the foot of Petronas Twin Towers, the crown jewel of his reign which today are a symbol of modern Malaysia.

He also said that Dr Mahathir’s comments about the national economy were merely unsubstantiated political rhetoric without the support of facts from worldwide organisations such as the global Monetary Fund or the World Bank.

Chin as well as Red Shirts leader Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos were detained yesterday ahead of the Bersih demonstration.

Bersih said on Twitter that three other activists were nabbed on Saturday.

Authorities have also charged many activists with sedition and other offenses.

Bersih also organised smaller protests calling for Mr Najib’s resignation in cities around the world.

The pro-Najib group also rallied on Saturday and police estimated that about 2,500 supporters of Najib turned up.

As much as $4 billion could have been “misappropriated” from the Malaysian government, the Swiss attorney general’s office said in January.

The leaders of both sides, as well as a number of other Bersih activists, were arrested in the hours leading up to the rally – a move which was immediately condemned by human rights group Amnesty.

The Malaysian Times reported that police barricaded the area around Independence Square where the Bersih protesters had planned to converge.

The 1MDB fund has been at the center of investigations in the USA and several countries amid allegations of a global embezzlement and money-laundering scheme.

Police added pepper-spray projectiles fired from high-powered weapons to their arsenal of water cannons and tear gas in preparation for one of the biggest challenges to Mr Najib’s rule since he was accused of embezzling billions of dollars from a state fund he set up and helped administer.

Earlier this week, a court sentenced Rafizi Ramli, the secretary general of the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat, to 18 months in prison for violating the Official Secrets Act by releasing a damaging audit report on the 1MDB scandal, in which almost US$700 million was allegedly diverted from the fund into Najib’s personal account in 2013. They did not name the official, but they appear to be referring to Najib.

Najib a year ago shut down Malaysian investigations.