According to the programme shared by an opposition leader, the former Batu MP was scheduled to arrive at 3.15pm.

Tian Chua told FMT the organisers invited him to attend the rally on Thursday or Friday.

“But I told them I couldn’t attend because I won’t be in town. Maybe, by that time, they may have already printed the programme,” he said.

He also said he told the organisers he respected their right to assemble.

Tian Chua, a staunch supporter of Anwar Ibrahim after Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998, was sacked from the party in 2023.

The decision came after he contested the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent candidate in the 15th general election.

According to the programme for the rally, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin will be present at the event, aimed at calling for Anwar’s resignation as the prime minister.