A group of five organisations said the police had a positive obligation to protect the right to expression and assembly and should provide “a safe and enabling environment”, especially in times of the Covid-19 pandemic, for those taking part in the #TangkapAzamBaki rally planned for tomorrow.

The rally is being held to demand the arrest of Azam Baki, head of the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC), over allegations relating to purchases of shares in public- listed companies and for the MACC to be placed under Parliament’s purview.

Earlier today Dang Wangi district police said road diversions would be made around Kuala Lumpur, with some train stations closed, to restrict the public from attending the protest tomorrow. A court order had also been issued preventing any large gathering at Dataran Merdeka, Masjid Jamek, and the Sogo shopping mall.

The activists said in a statement that the measures demonstrated “a systemic pattern of silencing any dissent”.

The group said they would station monitors at the street protest to provide support and monitor any human rights violations.

The five organisations are the Centre for Independent Journalism, Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Freedom Film Network, Justice for Sisters, and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights.