Sept 16: Only One Rally

KUALA LUMPUR: There will only be one rally on Sept 16 – the himpunan rakyat bersatu (people’s unity gathering) organised by the National Silat Federation or Pesaka.

However, those taking part may come in different coloured shirt and not just red or black, the colour to be worn by Pesaka members.

The organiser of the proposed red-shirt rally has now agreed to follow Pesaka’s lead and gather at Padang Merbok here.

The group came to the decision following Pesaka president Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam’s statement that the federation would go ahead with their rally to protect the sanctity of the National Principles (Rukun Negara).

Mohd Ali said they were also compelled to hold the rally to counter Bersih which had continuously insulted national leaders through their rallies.

“We are silat exponents. If they insult our leaders, our Malay leaders, we feel insulted, too,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

He also said that those who were “racially angry” or out to create trouble or promote racism were not welcomed.

He said the rally was opened to all Malaysians, regardless of race.

Mohd Ali added that Pesaka would not be selling any T-shirts to promote the rally as they would be wearing black, the colour of the silat movement.

He, however, said those who would like to join were free to wear any colour that they wish to.

Red-shirt rally media coordinator Rafi Awang Kecik said although the group would be joining Pesaka at Padang Merbok, they still planned to leisurely walk from Bukit Bintang to the field.

“There is nothing wrong with people walking on the street wearing the same colour to showcase solidarity.

“We have set up a security control team to stop troublemakers,” he said.

The Star