马来西亚警方宣布反对派抗议“违法”

Malaysian police have threatened to arrest participants in a rally being organized to protest results of an election the opposition says was marred by massive fraud.

National police chief says the protest to be held late Wednesday is illegal because the organizer, outspoken opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, did not apply for a government permit.

Malaysia's Peaceful Assembly Act tightly regulates protests and public gatherings, and requires organizers to receive advance permission for rallies. Anwar, an ex-deputy prime minister, has said the law is an undemocratic assault on free speech.

Anwar has encouraged Malaysians to wear black to the protest, which is to be held at a sports stadium in Kuala Lumpur. He says it is the beginning of a "fierce movement" to challenge the vote and reform Malaysia's electoral system.

Final results from the Sunday vote show the long-ruling National Front coalition captured a large majority of the seats, despite losing the popular vote to Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat coalition.