Some of the MIC members who gathered at Batu Caves today. Many more were gathered outside the multipurpose hall.
GOMBAK: More than 2,000 MIC members gathered at Batu Caves today to hold special prayers for Najib Razak instead of joining the planned rally for solidarity with the imprisoned former prime minister.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan said the party expected 2,000 members to attend but claimed there were more than that present there.
“We couldn’t show support to Najib in Putrajaya due to the police advice, hence we are here in Batu Caves.
“Initially, we expected 2,000 members to show up but today we have over 3,500 members here from Perlis to Johor,” he said in a speech addressing members at a multi-purpose hall at the temple complex.
A few hundred members started gathering from about 10am onwards, with the numbers swelling to over 2,000 after 11am.
Saravanan said many political parties were showing solidarity with Najib today, referring to leaders of Umno, PAS and Bersatu appearing at the Palace of Justice today.
The Tapah MP said he believed that MIC, being the only Indian party in the government, was representing the voice of Malaysian Indians in stating support for Najib today.
Earlier, over 3,000 people gathered outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya in a show of solidarity for Najib. The crowd, including supporters from PAS, Bersatu, Umno and NGOs, had arrived by 6.30am, displaying banners with messages like “#Justice4Najib” and “#BebasNajib”.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, among others, were among opposition politicians spotted inside the court complex. Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh also showed up for the rally.
Putrajaya police chief Aidi Sham Mohamed yesterday said roadblocks would be set up and strict checks conducted on vehicles attempting to enter Putrajaya ahead of the rally.
The Court of Appeal will today hear Najib’s application for leave to adduce fresh evidence in his appeal to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest.
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