July 26 rally: Impromptu stage taken down by DBKL for safety reasons, according to police
KUALA LUMPUR: An impromptu stage that was erected by the "Turun Anwar" protesters was taken down by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
'The stage structure did not guarantee safety, and we were not informed how many people would be on it. The preliminary agreement between police and the organiser was that two Toyota Hilux would be used as the stage,' acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said when contacted.
The stage, which had been set up at Dataran Merdeka, was taken down by DBKL around 11.20am.
More than 2,000 policemen have been stationed at all key gathering points, including Sogo shopping mall, Masjid Jamek, Masjid Negara and Pasar Seni, from 11am.
The rally is anticipated to draw 15,000 participants and is expected to march to Dataran Merdeka at 2pm.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail previously said police would facilitate the rally following a Federal Court ruling on July 1 that struck down Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 as unconstitutional, meaning organisers are no longer legally required to notify authorities in advance.
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