KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Protesters will gather in Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere this weekend to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over a financial blunder.
In question is a $700 million payment made to Razak's bank account from undisclosed foreign donors. The transaction was uncovered in July by an investigation into potential mismanagement of the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, or Bersih, is the coalition of organizations seeking Razak's resignation.
An estimated 50,000 to 80,000 people are taking part, with music, vuvuzelas and political speeches punctuating the carnival atmosphere of the protests. Maria Chin, a Bersih leader, said the protest is not anti-government but rather focuses on ousting corrupt leaders. The demonstrations also coincide with National Day on Monday, which marks the former British colony's 58th year of independence.
Razak has denied any wrongdoing. He had set up 1MDB in 2009 to stimulate finances in the capital. Cabinet ministers have said the transfers in question were "political donations" from anonymous Middle Eastern sources. 1MDB, which in 2014 was determined to be $11 billion dollars in debt, has denied that it has given any money to the prime minister.
Authorities in the capital have rejected an application for a permit to protest, meaning they consider the rallies illegal. To that end, access to the capital's Independence Square has been blocked. In 2012, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters.
