KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Ali Baharom (pic) or better known as Ali Tinju has distanced himself from Datuk Jamal Yunos, saying that he is not with the 'Red Shirts' but with 'Gerakan Merah' (Red Movement).
"The 'Red Shirts are different from the Red movement. Jamal is with the Red Shirts while I am with the Red Movement.
"Jamal was the one who said there might be a riot. You should call him and ask why he said that. The Red Movement did not say that at all," the Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president told the Star Online on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Jamal told reporters that a rally could take place on Saturday if the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry failed to act on complaints of illegal traders in Petaling Street.
He later backtracked by saying he would not be in Petaling Street on Saturday and that he has nothing to do with the rally.
On Friday, Mohd Ali said the planned second red-shirt rally in Petaling Street was cancelled on the advice of the authorities.
He admitted to being one of the organisers of Saturday’s protest and said the cancellation was to enable authorities to react to demands that more Malay traders be permitted to carry out business operations in Petaling Street.
Ali however, could not guarantee that there would not be a rally despite the announcement, adding that he would not be behind any protest that takes place.
"Itu luar jangkaan kami (We have nothing to do with it). All the NGOs under the Red Movement have followed my instructions and they will not go to Petaling Street.
'A statement was released on my Facebook page. We cancelled even before Jamal was arrested. We respect the police's decision," he said.
However, he urged the responsible authorities to prepare spaces for the Malays and Indians to do business at Petaling Street in the future.
"If not given, the Red Movement will have a rally at Petaling Street.
"But I heard the authorities are prepared to do so. We do not want to create problems, we are peacemakers. We are influenced by the principles of 1Malaysia."
Mohd Ali said he is currently in his home town in Melaka celebrating Hari Raya Aidiladha.
"I will be busy the whole day. I am not coming to Petaling Street. I would like to reiterate that the Red Movement is a peaceful movement.
"We just want to air our opinions. Not to fight or anything. We want authorities to consider and approve the needs of other people."
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