MIC members and supporters gathered at Batu Caves in a show of solidarity and support for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. — Low Boon Tat / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: More than a thousand MIC members and supporters turned up at the steps of Batu Caves on Monday (Jan 6) in a sign of solidarity with former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Clad in white shirts with MIC logos, the massive crowd had begun gathering at the temple grounds as early as 10am Monday.
Supporters were also seen carrying banners with Najib's picture on it with the words “Solidarity With Najib” highlighted in bold.
With the arrival of MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan at around 11am, the crowd began entering the temple to offer their prayers.
Once prayers were finished, members of the crowd were also heard chanting “Hidup Bossku” as they began convening at the temple’s nearby multi-purpose hall.
There, Saravanan praised the support of his party towards Najib, stating that he was surprised at the massive turnout.
“We couldn’t show support to Najib in Putrajaya due to the police advice, hence we are here in Batu Caves.
“Though we only expected 2,000 members at most to show up, today we have over 3,500 members here from across the country from Perlis to Johor.
“We see this as one way for us to offer support for someone through prayer to someone who is experiencing hardship,” he told the crowd at the hall.
The members had arrived to hold a prayer vigil for Najib “to obtain justice on the addendum” over the latter's claim that a royal addendum to his royal pardon exists.
The crowd then dispersed peacefully shortly after Saravanan left the temple.
This comes as a solidarity gathering had been planned on Monday to coincide with the Court of Appeal’s hearing related to an alleged royal addendum order that will allow Najib to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest.
The gathering had been planned to be held as part of a rally at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya before permission was denied by the police on Jan 4, who cited an “incomplete application” for the event.
