After promising another "panas (hot) like Low Yat" incident at the Kota Raya shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur this evening, Mohd Ali Baharom or better known as Ali Tinju presented a rather chill affair instead.
Less than 20 members of 'Gerakan Merah' turned up for the protest held in response to news reports of a phone trader cheating and confining a customer.
Turning down the flame, Ali Tinju denied he wanted to make this a heated issue and blamed the media for sensationalising it.
"Mana ada panas? (Where is it hot?). The only 'panas' thing is you reporters crowding me for comments," he said.
Quizzed on his earlier statement that it would be 'panas', he replied: "No, no. It is the media which sensationalised the matter."
The Malay Army Veterans Association president said he merely wanted to "visit" the complex and reprimand the traders not to engage in unethical and unlawful practices.
"We are not here to riot. That is wrong. I deny that (accusation) strongly.
"We have never rioted or stoked the flames of racism. We champion the welfare of the rakyat who are disappointed after being cheated," he added.
A check by Malaysiakini revealed that numerous shops in Kota Raya had closed in anticipation of the protest.
This morning, Ali Tinju had sent a Whatsapp message to media organisations regarding the protest, which he stated was for "Malay pride".
"Tv3, Tv1, Bernama TV, Utusan Malaysia, Sinar, BH dan lain2 Media .. Kami Ketua-Ketua GerakanMerah turun hari ini (jumaat) jam 4petang pergi ke komplex Kota Raya
(We the leaders of Gerakan Merah will go down to Kota Raya at 4pm)
"Isu kedai Cina jual barang menipu pembeli ppuan Melayu. Jom demi maruah Melayu! #AliTinju," read the message.
(The issue of a Chinese shop cheating a Malay woman customer. Come, for Malay pride)
[More to follow]
-Mkini
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