PUTRAJAYA: A crowd is building up for the planned solidarity rally for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
As of 8.50am, hundreds of people - including Najib's supporters and PAS members - were seen filling the areas around the Palace of Justice and its back entrance.
Putrajaya OCPD Asst Comm Aidi Sham Mohamed said police have been deployed to the Palace of Justice and its surrounding areas and are conducting roadblocks on routes leading to Putrajaya.
Considerable traffic has also built up along these routes.
The front of the Palace of Justice has been cordoned off, preventing people from accessing the steps to the building.
PAS Unit Amal personnel were also seen near the Palace of Justice.
A solidarity gathering had been planned for Monday (Jan 6) to coincide with the Court of Appeal’s hearing related to an alleged royal addendum order that may allow Najib to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest.
Initially, various parties and groups stated they would attend the solidarity gathering on Monday.
However, following a statement by Istana Negara and the advice of the Inspector-General of Police, several parties have said they will not participate in the rally.
Istana Negara said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the prerogative to grant pardons, postpone sentences, and relieve punishments for any offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan, based on the provisions under Articles 42 (1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution.
So far, only PAS and aligned NGOs have stated they will not back down from the gathering.
