Racists can stay away from 'red shirt' rally on Sept 16: Organiser

He welcomed peace-loving Malaysians to join the rally, including all political parties such as the ruling Umno and opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), said the news portal. PHOTO: AFP

KUALA LUMPUR - Those who want to incite racial violence and cause trouble are not welcome at the Sept 16 rally, National Silat Federation (Pesaka) president Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam said on Saturday (Sept 12).

"Those who want to cause trouble and racists do not need to come," the Malaysian Insider quoted Mohd Ali as saying at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur.

He welcomed peace-loving Malaysians to join the rally, including all political parties such as the ruling Umno and opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), said the news portal.

The former Malacca chief minister said the purpose of the rally was to spread awareness that everyone should uphold the sanctity of the Federal Constitution.

"If you don't like the leader it's fine but not stepping on their photographs. If you don't like the government it's fine, but take it to the ballot box, not on the streets," said Mohd Ali.

He was referring to footage of Bersih 4 rally participants stomping on pictures of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang during an overnight rally last month. The rally drew tens of thousands of people, most of them ethnic Chinese.

"Kuala Lumpur belongs to everyone. Not just Bersih. We have no intention to pick up a fight. But they have done it, not once but four times. So here we are, we want to show that we also have the numbers."

The Bersih 4 rally was organised by electoral reforms group Bersih who demanded, among other things, the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak. He is facing pressure amid allegations of financial mismanagement of state investor, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and a fund of US$700 million (S$990 million) that was deposited into his personal bank account.

The Malaysian authorities have promised to keep the Sept 16 "red shirt" rally in check amid growing safety concerns over the event that has gained the tacit backing of Umno party.

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