KUALA LUMPUR— Groups of people in white have already started to gather at pockets in the city, with at least 2,000 people at the corner fronting Sogo on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman here at 10am.
Many of those attending the rally to thank the government for not ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) were in the city as early as 6am.
The crowd is expected to make their way to Dataran Merdeka for the rally proper at 2pm.
At about 10am, the loudspeakers were fired up, with prayers and then words of motivation being blasted out to those already here.
Police presence is also apparent in the areas surrounding the mall, with traffic and CID officers on standby.
For drinks vendor Muhamad Azniel Ridzuan, 25, running a business meant coming into the city even earlier, at about 4.30am.
“I came early to get parking in the mall, as I knew the roads would be closed today.
“I could see people trickling in around 6am, with some busses entering the city at that time,” he said.
Muhamad Azniel, who hails from Selayang, said he was confident of finishing his stock of drinks today seeing the huge crowd that is expected here for the rally.
The rally which was originally planned to protest the ratification of ICERD was repurposed as a “thanksgiving” event to celebrate Putrajaya’s decision not to ratify the United Nation convention.
Organised by Umno, PAS, a coalition of Malay-Muslim groups Ummah and the newly-formed National Sovereignty Secretariat (Daulat), the event targeted to gather a crowd of 500,000 people, who were asked to be dressed in white. – MALAY MAIL
Anti-Icerd supporters arrive for gathering at Dataran Merdeka
KUALA LUMPUR: Participants of the anti-Icerd (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) rally have begun arriving near Dataran Merdeka since last night and early Saturday morning, says Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
The Inspector-General of Police said a number of supporters were seen around Dataran Merdeka based on observation by police personnel.
“We expect the number to grow even further as the event draws nearer.
“We have made ample preparations and we are prepared for any eventuality.
The country’s top cop hoped that nothing untoward will occur before, during and after the rally.
“It is a permitted rally so I hope the participants will gather peacefully.
“We have sufficient personnel on hand to facilitate the rally,” he said.
The rally is aimed at celebrating the non-ratification of the United Nations covenant.
Six main roads around Dataran Merdeka have been closed since 6am for the rally, which is expected to be held from 2pm to 6pm today.
The affected roads are Jalan Hishamuddin (before the tunnel), Leboh Pasar, Jalan Tun Perak (from Masjid Jamek LRT station onwards), Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (near Sogo), Jalan Raja Laut (near Summit Hotel) and Bulatan Dato Onn. THE STAR
FRU trucks stationed near National Press Club
KUALA LUMPUR: Police Federal Reserve Units are on standby near Jalan Tangsi here ahead of the Anti-Icerd rally on Saturday.
An FRU water canon truck, bus as well as several other lorries were seen parked there at around 11.15am.
Dozens of people dressed in white were also spotted heading toward Dataran Merdeka from Padang Merbok.
Participants of the anti-Icerd (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) rally are converging near Masjid Negara, Sogo on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Six main roads around Dataran Merdeka have been closed since 6am for the rally, which is expected to be held from 2pm to 6pm today.
The affected roads are Jalan Hishamuddin (before the tunnel), Leboh Pasar, Jalan Tun Perak (from Masjid Jamek LRT station onwards), Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (near Sogo), Jalan Raja Laut (near Summit Hotel) and Bulatan Dato Onn.
MALAY MAIL / THE STAR
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