Lockdown in KL from midnight

Police will close off several main roads leading into Kuala Lumpur city centre beginning from midnight tonight ahead of the banned Bersih 2.0 rally tomorrow.

The election reform group has vowed to proceed with its planned demonstration at the Stadium Merdeka despite the authorities declaring it illegal and police warning that participants would be detained.

The Royal Malaysian Police's Facebook page detailed plans to block access into the city from key points, which is expected to cause massive jams.

Many roads in and around locations that are suspected assembly points for opposition rallies are on the list, including Dataran Merdeka, Sogo, Masjid Jamek and Bukit Bintang.

“All are urged to cooperate by adhering to traffic rules and directives from traffic officers on duty,” said the police on its Facebook page.

Those who do not have pressing business in the city centre are advised against entering the area on the said date (July 9) to avoid traffic congestion. Cooperation is much appreciated.”

Roads affected

The blockades and diversions are scheduled to come in force starting at 12.01am, and will affect entry points along the entire stretch of Jalan Syed Putra, Jalan Istana, Jalan Bukit Petaling, Jalan Bellamy and the area surrounding Istana Negara.

Also affected would be the area surrounding the National Mosque in the Lake Gardens area, covering the entire stretch of Jalan Sultan Hishammuddin, Jalan Lembah Perdana and Jalan Chenderasari.

In the city centre, blockades will be set up around Dataran Merdeka, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek, Dataran DBKL, Kompleks Sogo, Maju Junction, Masjid Kampung Baru, Jalan Kinabalu, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sri Amar, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Haji Taib, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Jalan Raja Bot, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Gereja, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Loke, Jalan Sultan Mahmud and all nearby areas.

Acting city police chief Amar Singh also said three major bus terminals would also be shut down, and bus routes diverted around Kuala Lumpur for 22 hours starting midnight.

Riot police trucks and military personnel were seen throughout Kuala Lumpur today, ratcheting up tension in the capital city. - Malaysiakini