Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali made a surprise appearance at the anti-GST rally, here, today.

Their arrival was announced by Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu who was giving his closing speech when Dr Mahathir and his wife arrived.

Dr Mahathir then delivered his speech from a small lorry which served as a makeshift stage, in front of the thousands who turned up.

PHOTO GALLERY: 1,800 brave temps to rally against GST

In his speech, Dr Mahathir urged everyone to put their signatures down on the Citizens’ Declaration, a project initiated by him.

“Don’t forget to sign the declaration so that we can bring the people’s grievances to the Rulers. Although it is stated in the constitution (that Rulers can't oust a prime minister), but they will at least hear the voices of the people.

"A king is no king without his people," he said during a speech at Dataran Merdeka.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Anti-GST rally

Dr Mahathir also expressed his gratitude to the people who turned up in the sweltering heat.

Before this, Dr Mahathir had said that Citizens’ Declaration needs 1 million signatures before it is submitted to the Conference of Rulers.

He added that to obtain that number of signatures, he needs ‘brave people to do it’.

Among the demands of the Citizens’ Declaration which was launched on March 4 is to seek the resignation of prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.