Live updates
PETALING JAYA: People have begun gathering at various points around Kuala Lumpur ahead of Thursday's rally against the Goods and Service Tax (GST). Police have asked organisers to adhere to regulations, which include not bringing along weapons or children, and to follow instructions from police personal for the safety or participants.
Protesters gather outside KLCC.
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4.30pm: The crowd at Dataran Merdeka is starting to disperse.
4.05pm: A scuffle breaks out between a group of Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) members and Unit Amal officers on Jalan Raja, near Panggung Bandaraya. Unit Amal members could be seen trying to hold the line while the crowd pushed forward, throwing water bottles and engaging in a brawl with members of Jingga 13, who tried to calm them down.
SAMM member Romi Erawan, 24, said he and his group were unhappy that Unit Amal members were blocking the youth NGO members from accessing Dataran Merdeka.
When asked why they wanted to access the field, when both organisers and police had agreed that Dataran Merdeka was off-limits, the youth simply said, "there is no pact between lions and men".
"We want to access the field. We are here to fight, not fight physically but to fight the Government, but Unit Amal is blocking us," Romi mouthed off.
Unit Amal officers quickly brought the situation under control.
3.45pm: Signs of impending rain, with darkening skies and sound of thunder. Some protesters at Dataran Merdeka are starting to leave the area.
3.30pm: Crowd moving in orderly fashion from KLCC to Dataran Merdeka. Traffic police have been integral in ensuring smooth movement to destination. No FRU present. Cars have been honking at protesters.
2.15pm: Demonstrators begin slow march towards Jalan Raja, from the National Mosque, Sogo and KLCC.
2pm: Protesters gathering at the National Mosque have finished performing Zohor prayers and are preparing to begin their march to Dataran Merdeka, in about 15 minutes. PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is among those present.
At Sogo, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu has advised the crowd to follow orders and march peacefully towards Jalan Raja.
"Please do not enter Dataran Merdeka as it is closed for renovation. Please remain on Jalan Raja," he told them.
Former PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, who is also Bukit Katil MP, urged the crowd to show maturity when marching.
Also at Sogo are Selangor deputy speaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Subang PKR MP R Sivarasa.
One Nation Buskers
1.40pm: A group of musicians calling itself One Nation Buskers, is entertaining the crowd in front of Sogo, singing songs with politically-related lyrics. The crowd is expected to march to Dataran Merdeka at 2pm.
Protesters blocking the Jalan Tun Perak - Jalan Raja junction.
1.15pm: Organisers of the rally claim "irresponsible parties" distributing flyers with the words "Hudud is Barbaric" bearing the DAP logo.
A spokesman urged protesters at the National Mosque not to be provoked by the flyers and some claimed to receive stickers bearing the words "Hudud on all- Muslim & Non-Muslim".
Those present are told they will move from the National Mosque to Dataran Merdeka after Zohor prayers.
A spokesman urged protesters at the National Mosque not to be provoked by the flyers and some claimed to receive stickers bearing the words "Hudud on all- Muslim & Non-Muslim".
Those present are told they will move from the National Mosque to Dataran Merdeka after Zohor prayers.
12.45pm: Hundreds of supporters have gathered in front of Sogo. Some motorists passing by honk, protesters are blowing vuvuzelas.
Chegubard seen arriving at KLCC
12.40pm: Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Zainuddin Ahmad said protesters are abiding by police advice so far and number of police personnel sufficient, with no untoward incidents reported. More protesters are gathering at various points
12.30pm: A small group wearing "bantah GST" t-shirts and from Angkatan Belia Bersama Ulama Malaysia has gathered in front of KLCC. Some protesters are holding anti-GST banners. Traffic around the KLCC vicinity is still smooth with minimal police presence.
12.15pm: Traffic congestion near Dataran Merdeka, at the junction of Jalan Raja and Jalan Hishammuddin. There are also protesters gathering at Jalan P. Ramlee, including university students from Kedah.
Noon: Many protesters gathering at various points appear to be not too familiar with what GST is all about.
However, a group from Raub, Pahang, who arrived in a chartered bus at Dataran Maybank, were clear on the issue.
Protesters holding up banners at the Anti-GST rally.
Selvarajah Maniam, 53: "We want the Government to know that we are against the new tax system that will only burden the people." He said he did not buy the Government's rationale for implementing GST.
Phang Kon Ming, 52, said he was here to let the Government know the people are against GST: "This will only bring more problems to us. We will continue to protest until the government backs down."
It is learnt the policemen in plain clothes are mingling with the crowd.
Among the many booths that have popped up around the National Mosque is a small stall selling religious and political badges and stickers managed by Balqis Harun and her husband, who run the business together full-time.
The 40-year-old Sungai Petani businesswoman and PAS member is a familiar face in the protest scene, having sold stickers and badges at many ceramah and recent rallies.
Balqis explained she came to protest against the GST and also make the most of the business opportunity.
11.50am: PAS MPs Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar and Hatta Ramli drop by to check on the crowd at Sogo before making their way to Masjid Negara. Traffic at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman is building up, but steady.
Police officers gathering outside Dataran Maybank.
11.45am: At Dataran Maybank, there are more police and Unit Amal officers than protesters. Traffic officers can be seen at the intersection between Jalan Tun Perak and Pudu Sentral, where traffic is still clear.
11.45am: People have begun gathering at various points around Kuala Lumpur ahead of Thursday's rally against the Goods and Service Tax (GST). Police have asked organisers to adhere to regulations, which include not bringing along weapons or children, and to follow instructions from police personal for the safety or participants.
11.15am: Twelve police buses and trucks have arrived at Dataran Merdeka. At Sogo, a crowd is building up. There are peddlers as well, selling anti-GST t-shirts and bandanas. A police patrol car spotted a few minutes later, and five policemen are on standby.
Twelve police buses and trucks arriving at Dataran Merdeka.
10:30am: People start gathering as early as 9am in front of Sogo, one of the meeting points before marching to Dataran Merdeka. Some take opportunity to sell anti-GST t-shirts.
It is mostly quiet around Dataran Maybank, one of the four rally points. Around a dozen Unit Amal members, dressed in red and yellow, have gathered with more expected to join ahead of the 2pm protest.
Peddlers selling masks and t-shirts by the streets.
Earlier, around 10am, four police officers were seen screening the area with a K-9 unit. The officers said it was to ensure there were no unwanted objects around the protesters for their safety.
Some protesters started gathering at the National Mosque around 9am, and stalls selling food and rally paraphernalia were set up.
Most donned red shirts of the rally, although some were spotted with green PAS logos.
Bomb sniffing k-9 unit sweeping the area outside Bangunan Abdul Samad.
Peddlers selling scarves to commemorate the anti-GST rally.
Police screening the Dataran Maybank area with a dog.
THE STAR
'No weapons or kids at anti-GST rally'
BY FARIK ZOLKEPLI AND AUSTIN CAMOENS
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KUALA LUMPUR: Some 15,000 people are expected to attend the anti-Goods and Services Tax (GST) rally today, City police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Mohmad Salleh said.
SDCP Mohmad said police had told the organisers to adhere to regulations.
“Participants will not be allowed to bring weapons or children to the rally, which is expected to be held near Dataran Merdeka between 2pm and 5pm.
“They are also advised to follow and respect instructions from police personnel as they are there to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure the smoothness of the proceedings,” he told reporters yesterday.
He said that protesters were allowed to gather near Dataran Merdeka except on the field and the podium.
Protesters would not be allowed to use hailers, give speeches or shout party slogans while walking to Dataran Merdeka from various meeting points, SDCP Mohmad said.
Clearly marked: Kuala Lumpur Internal Security and Public Order chief SAC Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid briefing the media on the areas for the rally in Kuala Lumpur.
“We have met the organisers four times and they have agreed with our stipulations.
“We will ensure the safety of the public and all involved in the rally,” he said.
While there would be no road closure, SDCP Mohmad advised the public to avoid eight locations within the city between noon and 8pm as it would be used by protesters as meeting points.
The locations are KLCC, Sogo, Masjid Negara, KL Central, Masjid Jamek, Central Market, Pudu Raya and Dataran Maybank.
“We are advising the public not to go to these locations as there will be traffic congestion there,” he said.
The City police command centre would be placed at the state police headquarters, added SDCP Mohmad.
In another development, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the party was fully committed to participate in the rally together with PAS and DAP.
“The event will also be joined by other NGO representatives who will walk to Dataran Merdeka from various points,” she said.
She also advised those involved in the rally to protest peacefully.
THE STAR
