LIVE: #KitaLawan rally on despite police warning

KitaLawan rally goers gathering at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, this afternoon. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, March 28, 2015.

Protesters under the #KitaLawan banner will take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur again this afternoon, in defiance of police warnings that the anti-government rally is illegal, and despite the arrest of opposition leaders and activists over the last two days.

The #KitaLawan movement is also undeterred by the arrest of 11 people following its last rally on March 7, also in the heart of the capital.

Since Thursday night until early this morning, police have arrested politicians PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli, who is also the Pandan MP, Teja state assemblyman Chang Lih Kang, Simpang Pulai assemblyman Tan Kar Hing and Batu MP and PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang or Tian Chua.

The arrests have been slammed as a move to quell dissent and curb freedom of expression, and PAS has warned that police were only fuelling more anger against the government.

Like its first rally on March 7, the demonstration today will call for opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's release from jail where he is serving time for sodomy, and for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's resignation.

#KitaLawan has also added opposition to the 6% goods and services tax (GST) to today's agenda.Reporters covering the #KitaLawan rally today at the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, March 28, 2015.

Rafizi was to have led protesters at today's rally from Masjid Jamek, while Tian Chua was to have led the group gathered at Dataran Merdeka. Protesters will also gather at a third location – the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut – before converging at the Sogo shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur.

The rally today also coincides with the wedding reception of Najib's daughter, Nooryana Najwa, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

There were reports that protesters wanted to use the rally to "celebrate" the couple's wedding as well, but this has since been denied by PKR.

The last rally drew crowds of between 5,000 and 10,000, according to various estimates.

Police had allowed it to proceed smoothly, but the next day began hauling up opposition politicians who had participated, as well as activists. They have been released but remain under investigation.

Follow The Malaysian Insider team for live updates on the ground:

4.01pm: At Dataran Merdeka, Bakar Arang state assemblyman Simon Ooi gives a speech, calling Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar a "liar" for not protecting the people.

At Masjid Jamek, #KitaLawan secretariat member Fariz Muza arrives to lead the crowd. Participants start moving towards Dataran Merdeka while Fariz chants "Reformasi", "Bebas Anwar" "Tolak GST" and "Undur Najib".

3.58pm: 20 protesters gathered outside the PAS headquarters begin marching, led by Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad and PAS Research Centre director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The crowd at the Masjid Jamek area is now about 50 people. A few protesters are taking pictures of themselves with messages written on posters such as "Bebas berhimpun, bebas bersuara" (free to assemble, free to speak out) and "Bangkit sekarang atau ditindas selamanya" (Rise up now or be oppressed forever).

Here, a man is selling scarves with the words #KitaLawan and anti-goods and services tax (GST) slogans for RM4 to RM10 a piece.

3.42pm: At Masjid Jamek, some 20 people wearing black T-shirts with the words "Tolak GST" (Reject GST) have started gathering outside the Light Rail Transit station. Two policemen are at the scene.

A few minutes ago, PAS's Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad arrived at the party's headquarters.

3.39pm: The rally appears to be getting off to a slow start with few participants. For the past half hour, there have been more journalists than protesters at the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut. At the Sogo shopping centre, only tourists and local shoppers are in sight and at Masjid Jamek, there is no obvious sign of active rally participants.

Dataran Merdeka is a little busier with a crowd of about 30 people, including national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said and PKR's Bakar Arang assemblyman Simon Ooi.

- TMI