KUALA LUMPUR: After a one hour sit-in outside the barricade to Dataran Merdeka, the authorities called on the #Lawan protesters to disperse.
The protesters who started gathering this morning in Masjid Jamek before making their way to the square had sung Negaraku and chanted 'Hidup Rakyat' among numerous chants during the rally.
Police had earlier blocked entry to Dataran Merdeka.
After negotiating to allow them in, the authorities stood their ground of keeping the compound sealed.
"Please disperse and maintain your social distance.
"We have given enough time for you (the crowd) today.
"We must remember that we are still under the Movement Control Order. Please disperse now," the police were heard saying over a megaphone at the location.
The rally organisers were seen cooperating with the authorities by instructing the participants to disperse peacefully.
It is learned that the crowd faced provocation attempts on their walk towards Dataran Merdeka earlier.
Another attempt to provoke the police was also made after they were asked to disperse. However, the situation remains under control.
The two-hour protest ended at around 12.53pm, today.
It is also learned that Dang Wangi police chief assistant commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah will be addressing the media regarding today's protest at the Dang Wangi police station later.
Meanwhile, Muda secretary-general Amir Abd Hadi said this was just the beginning of the people coming together to let their frustrations be heard, referring to the #Lawan protest today.
Speaking to the media after the rally, he called upon the government to step down, and return the power to the Parliament to form a new government.
"We are tired. Everybody is tired. We have been staying at home for almost two years, and yet we see these ministers flouting the standard operating procedures (SOP) regularly.
"In fact, recently, we were shown their extent of flouting the SOPs through a video, of crowds of their supporters flouting the rules, dancing around.
"I believe today's rally is just the beginning. The authorities are wrong if they think that by detaining, investigating, intimidating those who are speaking up, that it would crush our spirits," he said.