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UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr. Mohd Puad Zarkashi believes that the credibility of PAS could suffer if the opposition-led “Himpunan Turun Anwar” fails to attract the 500,000 participants it aims for. The rally, organized by Perikatan Nasional and scheduled to take place tomorrow, is calling for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down. However, Puad suggested that the real concern for PAS lies not in the political demand, but in whether they can rally the masses.
In a Facebook post, Puad said PAS is more anxious about meeting the turnout target than the actual outcome of the demonstration. He claimed that about 90 percent of the expected crowd would likely consist of PAS members, putting pressure on the party to deliver. “PAS is not worried about whether Anwar will resign or not. They are worried if the 500,000 target will be met. Their pride is at stake,” he wrote.
Earlier estimates from rally organizers predicted a turnout between 500,000 and one million, but the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has offered a much smaller projection, anticipating attendance to fall between 10,000 and 15,000 people. The police also confirmed receiving more than 60 reports regarding the planned protest, signaling growing public concern over its legality and impact.
Puad further argued that Anwar is unlikely to be fazed by the protest, pointing out that past demonstrations, such as the 1998 “Undur Mahathir” movement, failed to unseat then-Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Despite widespread protests at the time, Barisan Nasional continued to win comfortably in the following elections. He also noted that unless UMNO joins forces with the opposition as it did during the ICERD protest in 2018, the rally is unlikely to shift political momentum in any meaningful way.
According to Puad, the rally may prove more damaging to figures like Tun Mahathir and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who are seen as central figures behind the movement. “Anwar isn’t going anywhere. For Mahathir and Muhyiddin, waiting until the next general election might be too late,” he said, ending his post on a sardonic note wishing longevity to all until the 16th general election.
The rally is expected to begin at 11 a.m. tomorrow, with participants gathering before marching to Dataran Merdeka at around 2 p.m. Despite the high hopes of organizers, the actual turnout remains uncertain — and could have lasting implications for PAS’ political image.
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