All quiet at Padang Timur, one party forgets flag poles (1)

Pakatan Harapan will attempt to stage their first major rally today, dubbed the "Anti-Kleptocracy rally," in protest against the lack of action taken over the 1MDB saga.

The rally is scheduled for 4pm at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya. Rally organisers have been holding talks throughout the country in recent months in an attempt to mobilise 100,000 people.

Although the police have disapproved of the event, citing possible traffic congestion as the main reason, organisers are pressing ahead.

There are also concerns that the event might be disrupted by a group of people, led by Sungai Besar Umno division head Jamal Md Yunos, who intends to sell discounted fish at the rally venue.

LIVE reports from the rally follows:

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2.35PM - Padang Timur: Sungai Besar Umno division leader Jamal Md Yunos' promise to set up at fish stall at noon did not materialise. 

Some of his supporters say he will likely show up with the goods at about 3pm. 

2.30PM - Padang Timur: The anti-kleptocracy rally appears to have run into its first hitch.

The roads all around the venue are adorned with the flags of Pakatan Harapan component parties, except for PKR, which are conspicuously missing.

It is understood that the party volunteers had brought the flags, but not the flag poles.

Nevertheless, the event's technical committee director Faiz Fadzil assured that the oversight is being rectified.

"The sticks are on the way. Each party is responsible to bring their own sticks, so maybe there was some miscommunication," he told Malaysiakini when met.

Meanwhile, the Padang Timur field appears to be mostly empty apart for stalls selling political paraphernalia, food, and other goods such as car perfumes and sunglasses, and other stalls remain empty.

Most would-be participants appear to have opted to seek shelter from the sweltering heat and sun in the nearby A&W Restaurant and AmCorp Mall instead.

At the stage, workers are seen putting finishing touches while songs such as "Just change it," "Ubah," "Gemuruh," and "Keranamu Malaysia" are being played.- Mkini