2.15pm: About 5,000 rally goers are now marching past ISTANA HOTEL on their way to Padang Merbok.
2.08pm: Some rally goers have rushed into Jalan Bukit Bintang defying police orders not to do so and are chanting “Long Live the Malays!” as they march towards Padang Merbok.
2.00pm: Some of the organisers are in discussion with police to allow them to walk through Jalan Bukit Bintang towards Padang Merbok. They start walking chanting “Hancur DAP” (Down with DAP).
1.48pm: Some rally goers are causing a disturbance around the KLCC area. More disturbance is reported around Bintang.
1.38pm: FRU are moving towards the Jalan Bukit Bintang area to get the chaotic situation there under control.
13.17pm: Rally goers want to march into Jalan Bukit Bintang but police stay firm and disallow them entry. They are ordered to march to Padang Merbok instead although some refuse.1.35pm: Ahmad Maslan says he is sure Padang Merbok will not be able to accommodate all rally supporters once all of them reach here.
Based on his observations at all five locations he visited, the number of rally goers is overwhelming.
“I can’t estimate the exact number but by 4pm when everyone reaches here, Padang Merbok cannot accommodate us all.
“We want to show the difference between two GROUPS who rallied – one which received permission and the other which did not. I would not have come here if we did not get the permission.”
He said another reason why the rally was held was for the public to show they were suffering due to the fall of the ringgit and for the GOVERNMENT to take immediate action.
“We are not here to provoke racial hatred – those are just rumours. Anyone from any race can join this rally. We just do not want participants who are shallow minded.”
1.30pm: Malaysiakini reports that police stop a GROUP of 200 rally goers from entering Petaling Street. The march from PWTC to Padang Merbok has started and among them is Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Yaacob and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
1.20pm: About 5,000 have already gathered at Padang Merbok. Malaysiakini reports crowds are estimated at over 20,000 – PWTC 10,000; Jalan Conlay 5,000; Masjid Negara 5,000.
Federal Territory Umno Youth chief Razlan Rafii addresses supporters from Johor. Malaysiakini quotes him as saying, “We are here to show the Chinese DAP that Malays are in power. The other day they stomped on a picture of Malay leaders but I don’t see any stomping today. We must not behave in such a way. Let’s paint the mosque red.”