PN gathering venue changed again, cops tell public to steer clear of rallies

After four days since announcing their planned gathering on Sept 16, Perikatan Nasional appears to have finalised the location.

This is according to the Gerakan Selamatkan Malaysia secretariat.

In a statement this afternoon, the secretariat formed last night said the venue for the gathering would be in the Malay enclave of Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur, which had been one of the main stages for the reformasi protest more than two decades ago.

Although the organisers yesterday dubbed the gathering as a Malaysia Day celebration, the secretariat made it clear that the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remained as the main agenda.

“A meeting was held last night to form the Gerakan Selamatkan Malaysia secretariat, which will be more inclusive in restoring the nation’s integrity and pride that have been tarnished following the withdrawal of Zahid’s corruption case.

“The secretariat comprises political parties, NGOs, and individuals who agree on the same basis and principles.

“The secretariat also agreed that the movement will be launched through a peaceful gathering on Sept 16 in Kampung Baru,” it added.

The secretariat urged Malaysians who are “against corruption and the freeing of the corrupt” to come in droves for the gathering which would commence with the afternoon Zohor prayers at Masjid Kampung Baru.

It added that main political and NGO leaders would also be present.

Initially, the organisers said the gathering would take place outside the Sogo shopping mall.

However, PN Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said on Tuesday that PN is open to moving the rally to the street in front of Yayasan Selangor in Bukit Bintang if the original venue in front of Sogo is not suitable.

This is at the intersection of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Bukit Bintang, near McDonald’s and Lot 10.

Yesterday, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal gave the impression that it would be moved to Bukit Bintang.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal

He also stated that it would be a Malaysia Day celebration.

“It will be a civil gathering, a peaceful gathering. We will celebrate Malaysia Day with the theme ‘Save Malaysia’. It is not a rally. It’s a gathering. We are not going to the road.

“We just gather with Malaysian flags. And we are going to buy kunafah, kebab, and McDonald’s around the Bukit Bintang area,” he said.

Notices not submitted

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur police chief Allaudeen Abdul Majid urged the public not to participate in the rallies, revealing that the organisers have not submitted notices for the gatherings.

KL police chief Allaudeen Abdul Majid

He was referring to both the “Save Malaysia” gathering and Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos’s threat to mobilise his infamous “red shirts” as a countermeasure.

Speaking to The Star, Allaudeen said the notices should have been submitted five days before the rallies.

“Action can be taken under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

“The organisers should have been responsible and submitted the notices in accordance with the law,” he added. - Mkini