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 The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said
in a post on its official Facebook page on Thursday that it would
block websites that "promote, spread information and encourage
people to participate" in the protest organized by the civil society
group Bersih.
It said this followed a statement earlier in the week by the home
ministry that Bersih was spreading anti-government propaganda which
had damaged the country's image and was a threat to its safety and
economic stability.
Najib has been embroiled in a political storm amid allegations of
graft and financial mismanagement at debt-laden state fund 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB), whose advisory board he chairs.
The government has suspended two newspapers and a website reporting
on 1MDB and earlier this month said it was seeking help from social
media and Internet companies to "curb" content for public safety.
The Kuala Lumpur authorities rejected Bersih's application for a
permit to hold its rally in the city, setting the stage for a
possible showdown with security forces when protesters gather on
Saturday at five venues and try to converge.
Police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters at
Bersih's last big rally in 2012.
Bersih plans to hold the demonstration from Saturday afternoon until
the end of the evening on Sunday, the eve of Malaysia's independence
day, in Kuala Lumpur and in the two Borneo cities of Kota Kinabalu
and Kuching.
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Eurasia Group consultancy said in a report on Wednesday that
thousands were expected to join the rallies, during which flurries
of violence and mass arrests were likely because of the high level
of security and the presence of some pro-government protesters.
However, it said that the movement would not topple the government
and was unlikely to inspire broad public support because it lacked
credible leadership.
In the past three Bersih rallies, the public were drawn by the
charisma of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was jailed on
sodomy charges earlier this year.
"The upcoming rally will have no inspiring leader who can connect
with the Malay masses, with rebel icon Anwar Ibrahim now imprisoned
and his People's Justice Party struggling to find a new leader who
can unite different factions," Eurasia said.
(Reporting By Al-Zaquan Amer Hamzah; Editing by John Chalmers and
Nick Macfie)
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