A Malaysian protestor wears a mask on the back of his head in front of the Malaysian flag during a BERSIH (The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections) rally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 29, 2015. [Photo/IC]

Police estimated Saturday's crowd at 25,000, while Bersih says 200,000 participated at its peak. The rally was scheduled to last until midnight Sunday to usher in Malaysia's 58th National Day.

"This is a watershed moment. Malaysians are united in their anger at the mismanagement of this country. We are saying loudly that there should be a change in the leadership," said protester Azrul Khalib, who slept on the street with his friends.

He said he was aware that the rally will not bring change overnight, but he wants to be "part of efforts to build a new Malaysia."

Some used colored chalks to scrawl their demands on the street: "We want change," and "We want clean and fair (elections)."