Ahmad Maslan arrives at scene of Red Shirts rally
(FMT) – Get up-to-the-minute reports on the goings-on in downtown Kuala Lumpur today as the Red Shirts rally, demanding the restoration of Malay dignity, goes into full swing.
10.40am: An estimate crowd of 200 gather at Padang Merbok to the strains of the 1Malaysia song being played in the background.
10.32am: Supporters from Felda receive free red T-shirts.
10.30am: Government assets in the form of buses for the National Service Training Programme (PLKN), are being used to ferry supporters to the Red Shirts rally.
10.28am: A group of youth from Cheras sing “Inilah barisan kita” while marching towards Petaling Street.
10.25am: It is learnt traders in front of Dataran Merdeka started selling drinks as early as 6am today. When asked why they came so early, one said, “For the Malays”.
10.24am: Supporters from Batu Pahat are heard chanting “Hidup Melayu!” (Long live the Malays); “Takkan Melayu hilang di dunia!” (Malays will never disappear from this world); “Allahuakhbar!” (God is great).
10.22am: Supporters from Batu Pahat are seen holding placards saying, “Ini Tanah Melayu” (This is Malay land); “Jangan cabar Melayu” (Don’t challenge the Malays); “Bangkit Melayu Bangkit” (Rise Malays Rise); “Jangan cabar bangsa dan agama kita” (Do not challenge our race and religion); “Jangan cabar hak Melayu” (Do not challenge Malay rights).
10.15am: Most of those gathered at the National Mosque come from the north i.e. Perak, Kedah, Pulau Pinang and Perlis. When asked by FMT why they were there, they said they came to support the fight to restore Malay dignity. “Don’t mock the Malays. We came from afar to show our support for the Malay race,” one rally goer said.
10.13am: Six police trucks and one van are spotted at Low Yat Plaza. Police say over 20 police trucks will be stationed there.
10.06am: Ahmad Maslan says, “Outstanding response in just this one spot. I want to visit all five gathering points.”
10.05am: Only one stall selling fish and vegetables, owned by Kadir Hussin, stays open at the Petaling Street Market located in a side lane. He however says there are no customers today.
10.00am: Also spotted is Umno Information chief Ahmad Maslan. Groups from Perak and Perlis have also arrived. It is learnt rally goers dressed in red started to gather in the vicinity of Masjid Wilayah from as early at 7.00am. There are almost 50 buses parked there.
9.57am: Malay rights group Perkida has arrived.
9.39am: One trader defies orders to close shop today and lays out his merchandise in anticipation of customers.
9.33am: Only one hotel has its doors open for business – the Radius Chinatown Hotel.
9.19am: Petaling Street resembles a ghost town with all shops closed for business today. There is however a strong police presence.
9.00am: Police also take up position at Petaling Street.
8.59am: Police have already gathered in front of Padang Merbok and are taking a briefing by their superiors.
8.58am: A stage dressed in red at Padang Merbok is ready to receive rally goers. All’s quiet as there are only traders at the moment taking their place along the empty roads selling red T-shirts, drinks and snacks in anticipation of rally goers later in the day.
