Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                 Malaysian Protesters Gather for Two-Day Rally

   by VOA News

   Protesters are descending on Malaysia's capital for a two-day rally
   demanding the resignation of the prime minister who is facing serious
   fraud allegations.

   Bersih, the country's leading civil society, wants Najib Razak to
   resign, following revelations he received $700 million into his
   personal accounts from the government-owned 1MDB investment fund.

   The government has blocked access to Bersih's website and has declared
   the rally in Kuala Lumpur's Independence Square illegal because the
   activists do not have permission to stage a rally on the site.
   Authorities have also banned the wearing of Bersih's traditional yellow
   attire and the group's logo.

   The government tightened security ahead of Saturday's planned rally.

   Najib has denied the allegations, saying the money was a gift from the
   Middle East. He has suggested that the corruption allegations are part
   of a "political sabotage" against Malaysia's longtime ruling coalition.

   ''The investigation has raised the prospect of criminal charges being

   filed against Najib, something that has never happened to a Malaysian
   prime minister.

   The prime minister fired the attorney general who investigated him.

   The allegations surfaced last month in The Wall Street Journal, which
   based its story on leaked documents from a government investigation
   into the 1MDB fund.

   1MDB, which is chaired by Najib, faces accusations of corruption and
   mismanagement, and is over $11 billion in debt. It is under
   investigation by several government agencies.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysian-protesters-gather-for-two-d
   ay-rally/2937476.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysian-protesters-gather-for-two-day-rally/2937476.html