Tens of thousands are expected to converge on the streets of Kuala Lumpur this afternoon to celebrate Putrajaya’s decision not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd)
Organised by Malay-Muslim NGOS, the gathering is also supported by Umno and PAS.
Those attending will gather at three different locations – Sogo shopping mall, Masjid Jamek and Masjid Negara – before marching towards Dataran Merdeka.
The gathering, which is to start at 2pm and end at 6pm, has sparked off concerns of possible racial tension but the organisers have vowed that it would be peaceful.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Truck turns into a makeshift stage
- Umno Youth chief: Historical day as Umno and PAS come together
- FRU water cannon, trucks deployed
- Silat group submits memo, palace rep gives mineral water bottles
- About 3k gather at Sogo, chants of ‘Hidup Islam’ ring out
- ‘Praise prophet instead of provocative slogans’
- PAS unit amal deploys 2,000 members
Malaysiakini brings you live updates of the event:
Truck turns into a makeshift stage
12.20pm, Intersection Jalan Raja-Jalan Parlimen: A makeshift stage on a truck is spotted in the middle of Jalan Raja, which is the main gathering point.
Some 150m away, PAS Unit Amal personnel prevent a large crowd from entering Jalan Raja. One of the personnel tells the crowd that they will not be allowed in until 2pm.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, another personnel says the FRU may swing into action if the crowd is allowed in at this point.
Umno Youth chief: Historical day as Umno and PAS come together
12.05pm, Sogo: Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki greets protesters along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman as he makes his way towards the Sogo shopping centre. He is accompanied by some 30 men in red t-shirts.
In his speech outside the shopping complex later, Asyraf thanks those who are present.
“We want to show solidarity regardless of race and religion. Today is historical as Umno and PAS come together to send a clear message to the Pakatan Harapan government – stop lying to the people,” he says.
He stresses the nation’s social contract and cautions the government against introducing western elements which can disrupt harmony.
At present, the crowd near Sogo has swelled to an estimated 5,000 people.
FRU water cannon, trucks deployed
11.55am, Jalan Parlimen: A Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) team has been stationed in front of the shophouses near the national press club.
There is one water cannon truck and several trucks with FRU personnel.
Some 100m away, more than 300 protesters are seen making their way towards Dataran Merdeka.
11.30am: Sin Chew Daily quotes inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun as saying that as of 9.30am, there are some 5,000 anti-Icerd protesters in Kuala Lumpur.
Silat group submits memo, palace rep gives mineral water bottles
11.30am, Istana Negara: Members of the silat group arrive at the palace’s entrance. Five of them perform silat moves prior to handing over their memorandum to a representative from the palace.
The representative also distributes mineral water bottles to the members of the silat group who had marched some 2km in the sweltering heat.
About 3k gather at Sogo, chants of ‘Hidup Islam’ ring out
11am, Sogo: Some 3,000 people gather in front of the Sogo shopping centre. Representatives from various NGO take turns to deliver speeches.
Many of the protesters are clad in white t-shirts with the words ‘Bantah Icerd’. They chant “Hidup Islam”, “Bantah Icerd”, and “Bangkit Melayu”.
‘Praise prophet instead of provocative slogans’
10.30am, Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan: Members of the silat group commence their march to Istana Negara, which is located some 2km away.
They recite the ‘selawat’ (poem to praise Prophet Muhammad). The group’s chief secretary Sahruddin Esa urges the members to recite the ‘selawat’ instead of hurling provocative slogans.
PAS unit amal deploys 2,000 members
10.10am: PAS unit amal will deploy 2,000 members for the gathering, according to Harakah Online.
The unit’s director Mohd Nazree Mohd Aris says 400 of them will manage traffic in the surrounding areas, 190 will oversee medical needs while the rest will handle security and prevent threats of provocation.
10.00am: The Star reports that some 5,000 students nationwide will join the gathering. This is due to unhappiness over the monthly deduction scheme for student loans.
“We are not happy with the recent developments in PTPTN,” says Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (Gamis) president Muhammad Faizuddin Mohd Zai.
The daily also reports that safety concerns and closure of roads in relation to the anti-Icerd gathering has led many businesses in the area to close for the day.
9.30am, Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan: More than 300 members of a silat group, clad in baju melayu with sampin, gather at the mosque. They will march to Istana Negara to submit a memorandum.
Gabungan Silat Pertahan Perlembagan (Pertahan) chief secretary Sahruddin Esa says it will be a peaceful march.
“Silat is like a public performance, not take sticks and hit people. We are not here to behave like thugs… We did not bring any weapons,” he adds.
MKINI
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