The council’s chief Ahmad Yahaya said the rally was a manifestation of the people’s anger towards the Madani government, which he said had “increasingly strayed from the people’s aspirations”.
“The sweet promises made before coming to power have now become burdens, with policies that are suffocating the rakyat on a daily basis.
“The PAS Ulama Council stresses that it is the moral and religious duty of every citizen to speak truth in the face of such a government,” he said in a statement.
He also described the unity government as a “runaway bus”, endangering the people with every passing moment.
“The country must not be left in the hands of a leadership more concerned with political image than real responsibility to the people,” he said.
“We urge all Malaysians, regardless of background, to take to the streets in a peaceful and disciplined manner this Saturday. This is the moment for us to make our stand, for the dignity of our nation and the sake of future generations,” Ahmad added.
Perikatan Nasional, of which PAS is a component party, planned the rally to push for the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The organisers expect up to 300,000 participants, although a similar protest in Shah Alam earlier this month drew just over 300.
Prominent religious scholar Sheikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki Hafizahullah warned that frequent changes of government were “not in line with Islamic values”, but PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this was merely the Kelantan cleric’s personal opinion.
Civil servants have been instructed to stay away from the gathering, dubbed the “Turun Anwar” rally, with Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar saying that participating in the assembly would go against the Rukun Negara principle of loyalty to king and country.
Constitutionally guaranteed rights
In response, Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek said that criticism, dissent and protests were part of any democracy.
He also said Shamsul Azri’s statement lacked any basis in law and was contrary to the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and the right to peacefully assemble.
“It is legal and appropriate for civil servants to participate in the upcoming rally this Saturday should they wish to do so,” said Zaid.
“Should any civil servant be subjected to any form of action for exercising their constitutional rights on Saturday, we are prepared to provide assistance to them.”