Crowd swells to about 80k

LIVE | 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.

Malaysiakini brings you live updates of the event:

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HIGHLIGHTS

• PAS No 2: We're not anti-Chinese or Indians
• Sky turns grey above Dataran Merdeka
• Congestion leads to commotion
• Hadi arrives riding pillion on a motorcycle
• No provocative speeches, organiser tells crowd
• Nik Abduh leads prayer at Sogo, Najib at PWTC
• Despite police's warning, children spotted at rally
• 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

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Crowd swells to about 80k

4.30pm: Malaysiakini estimates the crowd at its peak to be about 80,000.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim places the figure at 55,000. In the past, the police have always been criticised for downplaying the figures at anti-government protests.

The organisers have not announced their own estimate.

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PAS No 2: We're not anti-Chinese or Indians

4.25pm, Jalan Raja: PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim says the gathering is not held to condemn other races but to defend Malay rights and Islam as the official religion.

“We are not gathered here because we are anti-Chinese or anti-Indians... We are not here to take the rights of the Chinese or Indians... We are defending the federal constitution.

“If the federal government continues to be inconsistent after this, the rakyat will gather in Putrajaya,” he adds.

Tuan Ibrahim also warns all quarters not to threaten the stability and harmony of the nation.

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Umno MP: What does UN know about bumiputera problems?

4.15pm, Jalan Raja: Umno lawmaker Tajuddin Abdul Rahman says the UN has no clue about the problems of the bumiputera, those in Sabah and Muslims.

“Umno and PAS will rise again in the coming general election. Agreed?” he asks.

The Pasir Salak MP also claims the Malays have been sidelined in Budget 2019 while Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has become DAP's 'puppet'.

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Sky turns grey above Dataran Merdeka

4.05pm, Jalan Raja: The sky above Dataran Merdeka turns grey, signalling an impending downpour. It is already raining in other parts of the Klang Valley.

Meanwhile, Unit Amal members with black polystyrene bags are patrolling the area, picking up rubbish.

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Umno, PAS leaders at rally

3.45pm, Jalan Raja: Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad is addressing the crowd from the makeshift stage.

Other leaders present are PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, former premier Najib Abdul Razak, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri and PAS central committee leader Nik Abduh Nik Aziz.

-Mkini