KUALA LUMPUR: Supporters of both Bersih 5 and Red Shirts are arriving in large numbers for the rallies here on Saturday.
Several roads, especially those leading to Dataran Merdeka which has been barricaded, have been put out of bounds by the police.
As at 7am, police presence around Dataran Merdeka was evident as Federal Reserve Unit trucks were seen parked close to the vicinity.
Police have said some 58 roads will be closed and traffic would be diverted.
Some areas to be affected by the rallies are Brickfields (Little India), Masjid Negara and Muzium Negara; Sogo and Dataran Merdeka; Parliament House and Bank Negara; Pudu Central and Central Market; Putra World Trade Centre and Chow Kit.
On Friday, police went on a sweep, arresting 12 people, mostly activists or members of opposition parties, ahead of the rallies.
Here is a timelime of the events:
10.30am: Bersih committee member Hishammudin Rais nabbed by police in Bangsar. He had earlier given a speech to the crowd.
A group of Red Shirts are gathering in Putrajaya, though their intention is not known.
10.30am: Policemen are advising Bersih supporters at Sogo to be mindful of their safety and follow police instructions. If more than 100 people gathered at one spot, then they will be asked be dispersed.
10.20am: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang arrives in Bangsar, accompanied by other party leaders such as Teresa Kok, Tan Kok Wai and Lim Lip Eng.
Also here is social activist Marina Mahathir. Marina urged Malaysians not to be afraid of fighting for free and fair elections.
The supporters here have been divided into two groups, with another round of speeches by other Bersih leaders and political activists. Prominent activist Hishammuddin Rais is speaking to the other group of supporters with chants of "Reformasi" and "Bersih, Bersih" reverberating through the crowd. 10.15am: Bersih supporters have gathered along Jalan Sultan near here chanting slogans. They also cheered on a group of policemen making their rounds here. There are currently no Red shirt supporters in the area.
He walked about with those gathered, shaking hands and making conversation.
The gathering remains the same size it has been the past half-hour and the atmosphere is still calm.
Masjid Negara: Bersih team leaders are addressing the crowd using a loudspeaker - a run through the 'emergency arrest numbers' that the protesters should call in case they get arrested or require medical assistance.
They also go through some basic rules for the Bersih supporters to follow, including a ban on the use of vuvuzelas, as well as informing them about Bersih's security volunteers.
9.55am: Petaling Street: Some placed a box with buns in it. A woman selling taufu-fa gets good orders from the rally-goers.
Mat Sabu earlier arrived at the Bangsar LRT station to loud cheers from the gathered demonstrators, who will be marching to Dataran Merdeka very shortly.
The Bersih security unit has formed a human wall ahead of the supporters and will be leading the march, which will begin in Jalan Bangsar.
9.30am: The crowd does not appear to have grown, although the proportion of those in Bersih t-shirts has.
Bar Council representatives are seen observing the gathering and talking to Bersih supporters.
The atmosphere remains relaxed a;though there is still a noticeable police presence.
9.21am: Former Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan arrives at the Bangsar LRT station, to loud cheers from yellow-shirted supporters.
“Today is a good day and everyone’s support here has given us hope,” she says.
Rally goers start roaring to chants of “Bersih, Bersih, Bersih” as they wait to begin their march to Dataran Merdeka.
Isaiah Jacob, 50, who was born with only one leg, says he is ready to make the long walk from Bangsar LRT to Dataran Merdeka.
“Even though I am disabled, I consider myself a normal person and as a Malaysian, I have a responsibility to walk for a new administration and a better Malaysia,” says Jacob.
9.20am: Bangsar: The crowd of Bersih supporters gathered at the Bangsar LRT station and Dataran Maybank next door have swelled.
They can be heard chanting and singing phrases like "Selamatkan Demokrasi", "Selamatkan Malaysia", and "Bersih, Bersih!"
There are still no signs of any Red Shirts supporters in the area, and the situation has remained peaceful thus far.
9.15AM: Masjid Negara: The situation at Masjid Negara remains calm and quiet. Groups of Bersih supporters are still trickling into the plaza in front of the mosque with the supporters numbering in the dozens.
Those clad in yellow Bersih t-shirts mingle at the stalls or around the central fountain. There is no sign of the Red Shirts here.
9am: Red Shirts supporters are in a group in Masjid Jamek and Jalan Melaka.
8.45am: A slightly larger crowd of ‘Yellow Shirts’ begin gathering on the other end of the Bangsar LRT station. Bersih paraphernalia is seen being sold.
8.40am: A Red Shirts leader tells the group near Masjid Jamek to not do anything until there are instructions. “Wait for instructions,” he says.
8.33am: The atmosphere outside Central Market is relatively calm, with several Bersih supporters seen around the area, many making their way to other meeting points.
There are several vendors selling Bersih t-shirts and scarves.
There is a light police presence in front of the building, but the area from the market square leading into Dataran Merdeka has been blocked by police, who have formed a line preventing access.
8.20am: Bangsar LRT: People in yellow are milling about and taking pictures as they awaited larger numbers to arrive for the rally.
Some of Bersih's supporters are also clad in purple. They represent the voluntary security unit of the rally and will be managing the crowd as they March to Dataran Merdeka later in the day.
A FRU truck was seen earlier entering the cordoned off area along Jalan Bangsar, where it parked briefly by the side of the LRT station before going on its way again.
The situation has remained peaceful so far, with most Bersih supporters either having their breakfast and sitting around.
Some were also selling scarves, T-shirts, and vuvuzelas.
7.30am: Petaling Street: Bersih protestors starting to arrive. Some seen having breakfast
6am: Dataran Merdeka: FRU teams already on standby at several locations around Dataran Merdeka. Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja Laut cordonned off at the Dataran Merdeka section.
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