Zero tolerance for provocative acts at Sept 16 rally, cops assure Malaysians

(Malay Mail Online) – Police told Malaysians today not to fear carrying on with their usual routines in the city tomorrow, pledging that its personnel will make sure to maintain peace and public order throughout the “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu” gathering.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Tajudin Md Isa confirmed receiving an application for the event by its organisers and said that the police will facilitate the gathering as it has sufficiently fulfilled all criteria under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“A meeting with the organisers has been held, and the application has been checked and found to have complied with all criteria in the PAA.

“Since the rally has received approval, the KL police will ensure public safety and peace will be protected,” he said in a statement today.

Tajudin added that the police will mobilise sufficient numbers tomorrow and will not tolerate any “provocation” during the rally.

He warned that those found guilty of such acts will have to face stern action.

He also assured the public that they can enter Kuala Lumpur without fear and urged against believing hoaxes being spread on social media to promote worries.

“The public does not need to worry about going about their business in Kuala Lumpur. The public is also advised not to believe in baseless news being spread through social media which can anger the masses and disrupt peace and public order,” Tajudin said.

There have been conflicting statements issued on tomorrow’s rally, with earlier reports citing Coalition of Malay NGOs chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos claiming that the Himpunan Maruah Melayu (Malay Dignity Rally) is to uphold the rights and dignity of the Malays in the face of alleged attacks by the non-Malays on Malay leaders.

In his latest statement on Sunday, Jamal, who is also Umno Sungai Besar division chief, insisted that the “red shirts” rally — so-called for their choice of t-shirt colour — aims to put an end to future rallies especially if they echo demonstrations held by the Bersih movement.

Jamal himself, however, has never identified himself as an organiser of the rally, only saying that he was assisting the organisers and speaking on their behalf.

Rally organisers Pesaka, however, appeared to have dissociated the event from Jamal and his “red shirts”, with Pesaka president and former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam stressing that their rally is known as Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu or United People’s Rally, and that it is open to all Malaysians.