Protesters rally at Padang Merdeka to oppose Trump’s visit to Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Chants of “Free Palestine” rang out across Padang Merdeka this morning as nearly 200 demonstrators gathered to protest the visit of US President Donald Trump, who arrived in Malaysia for the 47th Asean Summit.
The BantahTrump rally, which began around 10am, was originally planned at the Ampang Park LRT station but was shifted at the last minute to Padang Merdeka after organisers were denied access to both the Ampang Park and KLCC stations.
It remains unclear how participants managed to regroup at the new site on such short notice, given the sudden change earlier in the day.
Despite the disruption, protesters arrived steadily, waving Palestinian flags and holding placards condemning Washington’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
Among those present were Sumud Global Flotilla coordinator Professor Dr Mohd Nazari Ismail, former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang (better known as Tian Chua) and veteran activist Hishamuddin Rais.
Their arrival drew cheers from the crowd, which chanted slogans calling for global solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Organisers said the rally was held to denounce Trump’s visit and his administration’s continued support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing both leaders of complicity in what they described as “genocide” in Gaza.
At about 10.40am, three police trucks arrived at the site, joining roughly 100 police personnel already stationed there since the gathering began.
The demonstrators greeted the officers with chants of “Selamat datang, abang polis!” (“Welcome, brothers in blue!”), underscoring the peaceful nature of the protest.
Despite the heightened police presence, the atmosphere remained calm, with participants delivering speeches and offering prayers for Palestine. No untoward incidents were reported as of press time.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s aircraft landed in Kuala Lumpur at around 10am, marking his first official visit to Malaysia since returning to office for a second term.
Several demonstrations have been reportedly held across the capital since the announcement of Trump’s visit in conjunction with the Asean Summit.
Another protest is expected to take place later this evening, although its venue remains uncertain as access to the Ampang Park LRT station — the original rally point — continues to be restricted.
