Another massive crackdown may take place, warn police

Police on standby to diffuse the many “vile rumours” of racial unrest over social media and elsewhere particularly concerning a possible “riot” in KL tomorrow.

PETALING JAYA: The many unsubstantiated rumours of racial unrest including one of a possible “riot” in Petaling Street tomorrow has led police to be on standby to launch a massive crackdown much like the reviled Ops Lalang of 1987.

According to The Rakyat Post, police already have a list of individuals that include politicians from both the ruling government and the Opposition, as well as social activists and migrants, who they view as instigators behind the rumours on social media and elsewhere.

Adding tension to an already heated situation were the travel advisories issued by the US Embassy and Australian High Commission to its citizens in the country, warning of a possible terrorist attack at Jalan Alor.

The situation has prompted Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, currently abroad, to authorise his commanders to invoke all necessary laws to get the situation under control.

“Detractors may want to call this another 1987 Ops Lalang, but police are not perturbed,” one source was quoted as saying by The Rakyat Post.

“Too many vile rumours are being spread over social media, various sorts of justifications are being uttered and all these have drawn negative connotations.”

One name that keeps cropping up is Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Mohamad Yunos, who is currently under investigation for warning that a possible riot could erupt in Petaling Street tomorrow if authorities did not take action against traders there who he said sold fake goods and pornographic CDs.

A new development has been the number of complaints lodged by migrant workers with businesses in Petaling Street, to their community leaders over their fears of more unrest in light off the Red Shirts rally on September 16 that turned ugly.

Directed to shut their businesses on the day of the Red Shirts rally, combined losses suffered by stall operators, restaurants and hotels have been estimated at RM2.5 million. If more unrest as rumoured occurs tomorrow, it would result in the same amount of losses if they are forced to shut once again.