Thousands gather in support of Malaysian Opposition

12 January AFP

Malaysian Opposition supporters gathered thousands in the capital Saturday to call for the ouster of the country's long-ruling government in elections due within months. Followers of the three-party alliance led by opposition firebrand Anwar Ibrahim streamed through the capital Kuala Lumpur to converge on an iconic stadium where the current ruling bloc declared independence in 1957.

"Our government is so corrupt. The government should listen to us. They need to reform. For more than 50 years they have ruled Malaysia," said rally participant Azlan Abu Bakar, 29, who travelled from the eastern state of Terengganu for the gathering. Access to the venue was granted by authorities this week, and as the crowds gathered, there was no hint of the violence that marred the country's last major anti-government rally in April.

That rally, which demanded reform of an election system that the opposition and other critics say has a pro-government bias, drew tens of thousands to the streets but degenerated into clashes between demonstrators and police. Authorities were criticised for a response widely seen as heavy-handed. Prime Minister Najib Razak, who heads the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition, must set elections for no later than late June, but speculation of earlier polls is rife.