KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Popular youth activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim has been arrested for sedition in connection to tomorrow’s planned #TangkapNajib rally in the city, of which he is one of the organisers.

Adam was arrested just 20 minutes after a PKR youth member and former student activist Syukri Rezab was arrested by the police for the same offence minutes after he arrived at the Dang Wangi police headquarters here today.

Syukri was also said to have been arrested for his role in organising tomorrow’s demonstration.

The PKR member was escorted into a van after he arrived to speak to Adam, who with two others, had just met with the police in relation to tomorrow’s planned rally.

It is understood Adam had gone to the city district police headquarters earlier to negotiate with the authorities.

Prior to his arrest, Adam said he had already explained to the police that the rally would be peaceful, and that he would ensure everything goes smoothly.

“We have already explained and negotiated about the rally, where we said we will be responsible.

“The officer had already said that they will not detain us and such and that the matter was already discussed with Bukit Aman but immediately after, they arrested him,” Adam said, referring to Syukri.

Malay Mail Online understands the two men have been taken to the Brickfields police station for questioning and that lawyers have been sent to help secure their release.

Earlier, Adam said that a youth group calling itself Demi Malaysia who are the rally organisers are expecting a turnout of some 500 people and urged those attending to dress in white.

He said similar street assemblies had been in the city previously without disrupting the harmony of the country.

Adam said the #TangkapNajib rally will be the precursor to bigger upcoming protests to demand Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Najib Razak resign for his alleged involvement in the debt-riddled 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Earlier this month, US daily Wall Street Journal reported nearly US$700 million (RM2.6 million) was funnelled through 1MDB and into bank accounts purportedly owned by Najib ahead of the 2013 May general elections.

Najib has yet to deny or confirm the allegation.