Photo credit: The Malaysian Insider
The Red Shirt Rally (Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu) is now legal under the Peaceful Assembly Act. According to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, the organisers of the rally have managed to obtain permission from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to use Padang Merbok for the gathering. This is despite fears by some that the rally may spark ethnic clashes.
One of the reasons that members of the public are wary of the Red Shirt rally is due to a recent incident where effigies of DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng were burnt. This incident took place in Kota Baru. Watch the video here.
Tan Sri Khalid assured the public that the police will protect the safety and security of everyone in Kuala Lumpur. He ensured that enough manpower will be deployed to handle security and public order.
The IGP also said that since approval has been given to the Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia (Pesaka) to hold their gathering, the police will help to facilitate the rally to ensure it is carried out in a peaceful manner.
The Red Shirt rally which will take place tomorrow, 16 September, 2015, is said to be held to counter the Bersih 4 rally, which had called for the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The gathering is also held to express anger over footage of Bersih 4 rally participants stomping on pictures of the prime minister and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. Despite stories that the rally will be used to promote “Malay solidarity,” the organisers insists the rally will be peaceful and is open to all races who support national values and Malay leaders.
There have been messages circulating on social media and messaging apps warning non-Malays to avoid the city in case of clashes. The IGP has insisted that these messages were not to be believed as it was sent to incite public fear and hatred. He ensured that there will be safety and security for all in KL and that there will be no public disorder. We do believe the police and IGP will do all that they can to ensure safety and security, but it is still best to be cautious and alert if you are going to be in the city tomorrow.
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Source: Malaysian Insider
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