Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zainol Samah escorting a representative from the #Merah169 rally through Petaling Street, September 16, 2015. — Picture by Kamles KumarBESTFBKL: OCPD ACP Zainol Samah and his men did a very good job in handling the red shirt threat. His advise seem to work as the leaders of the red shirts backed off after the arrest of Jamal Yunos. Well done men in blue.KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Police confirmed today that not a single member of the “red shirts” have been spotted in the streets of the capital so far, following reports that the rumoured rally against Petaling Street traders had been called off.
In a brief statement, Dang Wangi district police chief Zainol Samah said it is business as usual so far in both the areas around Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street, with not one red-shirted protester in sight.
“No traces of the red shirt group in Petaling Street or Bukit Bintang. Police will continue to patrol and monitor,” he said, adding that sufficient personnel have been mobilised to maintain public order.
Yesterday, the rumoured gathering that was to take place in Chinatown today was cancelled by Mohd Ali Baharom, who had proclaimed himself the organiser.
According to the Malay Armed Forces Veterans’ Association president popularly known as “Ali Tinju,” the rally was called off on advice from the authorities, and to allow more time for the government to respond to demands for more Malay business space in Chinatown.
The gathering was to be held following the failure of the authorities to accede to the demands of the #Merah169 gathering on September 16, which saw a sea of red-shirted protesters take to the streets.
During #Merah169, protesters tried to breach a police barricade blocking off entry into Petaling Street, an area they claimed was Chinese-dominated and prejudicial against Malays.
The incident forced the police to use water cannons to disperse the crowd that lingered on despite the use of force.
The protesters dispersed only when Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos came and promised them that he would press the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to take action against Petaling Street traders for selling counterfeits and, according to him, pornographic material.
Late last night, Jamal was hauled in for questioning after he warned earlier this week that today's rumoured rally may escalate into a riot. He was subsequently arrested and may be released today.
The police make their presence felt at Petaling Street. PIC courtesy of PDRM Facebook page
KUALA LUMPUR: The heavy police presence at Petaling Street has given some confidence for traders to open their stalls, despite the threat of a “red-shirt” rally.
Low Chee Hoong, 49, who sells T-shirts and merchandises at the tourist spot, said when he came to Petaling Street in morning, he was confident of conducting his business due to the police presence.
"In a meeting yesterday, the Police assured us that they will take care of the situation. So we felt safe to continue our business. Everybody has confidence with the police presence here," he said.
Low reiterated that they were just normal traders and did not have problems with anyone.
"Malays are here but the numbers are small. There are many of them in Chow Kit and Central Market. We do not question them," said Low, who has been in Petaling Street for 30 years.
Another trader Lee Fong Lian, 60, was reluctant to set up her shop but after seeing other traders open their shop, she decided that it was business as usual.
"I have been here for more than 30 years. Seeing what happened on Sept 16, I was shocked. Today I was afraid but I opened my store because other traders bravely set up their stores. The police presence also helps," she said.
Several traders had opened their stalls as early as 10am, with tourist and shoppers also seen there.
There also a strong police presence in the area with several police trucks seen in the vicinity.
The haze also did not deter tourist from flocking the street as they went about buying goods and clothing.
Austrian tourist Michael Hauer, 20 said he was not aware there was a planned rally in the area and he only came because things were cheap here.
"We do not know anything about it. We came here and we saw police.
"We asked around and they said they might be a rally. With the police here, looks like there won't be any rally," he joked.
It was reported that the red shirt rally planned for today has run into problems with Datuk Jamal Md Yunos, the man who had theatened a riot in Petaling Street, being arrested and another leader Mohd Ali Baharom backtracking on his vow to “attack the place every week”.
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