Umno set to mobilise at least 180,000 for Sept 16 ‘Red Shirt’ rally?

(Malay Mail Online) – Umno is preparing to send at least 180,000 members and supporters for the September 16 “Red Shirt” rally that authorities have stated was illegal, according to a list circulated online.

The list that shows the purported participation of 139 of the party’s 155 divisions for the rally dubbed “Himpunan Maruah Melayu”, with those responsible for organising the large-scale deployment urging division leaders to increase attendance for the event.

The list is apparently in response to a September 4 meeting organised by Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusof to organise participation for the rally,

“It’s true. The meeting was held as preparation in case the organisers invite us,” Ab Rauf was quoted as saying in a report by news portal Free Malaysia Today.

Set for next Wednesday, the rally alternately called Himpunan Maruah Melayu and Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu will be held in the city centre by Malay groups wearing red shirts to counter the purported Chinese domination of the Bersih 4 rally.

Definite and accurate information on the red-shirt rally on Malaysia Day has been scarce, with initial posters leaving out the name of the organisers and touting meeting points such as Low Yat Plaza, Petaling Street and Bukit Bintang.

Yesterday, Dang Wangi police confirmed receiving notice from the September 16 rally organiser — a little-known Malay martial arts organisation called Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia (Pesaka) that is led by former Malacca chief minister Senator Tan Sri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has said that it will not provide approval for the rally, which police said was necessary before it will sanction the event.

The event has raised concerns due to the racial overtones of its rallying call for attendees to defend Malay honour as well as previous warnings by Coalition of Malay NGOs president Datuk Jamal Md Yunos for non-Muslims to stay away.

Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak previously said his party does not officially support the rally, but will not stop members from attending. This message was repeated by Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim previously said the rally will not be permitted to proceed due to “security implications”.