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Downtown
Kuala Lumpur is expected to be swamped with thousands of Pakatan Rakyat
supporters as part of the coalition's final show of force ahead of a
crucial general election.
Organisers are hoping that big turnout at the rally - dubbed the People's Uprising Rally - would sway fence-sitters who are likely to vote based on who will likely to form the next federal government.
The
Najib government however appeared to be bending over backwards to
ensure that there are no untoward incidents, even if the rally theme
itself is brazenly revolutionary.
Not only has the authorities allowed Pakatan to rally at the historic and highly symbolic Stadium Merdeka, the police have stated that its target was for "zero casualty" and have pledge to do without the notorious Federal Reserve Unit (riot police).
Rally organisers are putting the authorities' new attitude to the test, with plans to hold multiple street processions proceeding the three-hour rally, which is scheduled to begin at 2pm.
The weather forecast for today is cloudy with a slight chance of showers.
LIVE REPORTS
9.55am: Stadium Merdeka -
The rally venue site is still closed to public but a handful of Pakatan
Rakyat members are already inside the stadium making preparations.
Meanwhile, stalls have lined along to the roads for more than 500m outside the stadium in a 'pasar pagi'-like atmosphere.
People are already pouring in around the stadium. The crowd size is estimated at more 2,000 people.
10:10am: Jalan Stadium - Police have set up two tents for the media within the compound of Tun HS Lee police station. They have also set up a counter to register media personnels for on the spot issuing of police-sanctioned press tags.
A number of journalists are here awaiting for the rally to begin in the afternoon. The police station is about 200 metres away from Stadium Merdeka.
[More to follow]
Organisers are hoping that big turnout at the rally - dubbed the People's Uprising Rally - would sway fence-sitters who are likely to vote based on who will likely to form the next federal government.
The
Najib government however appeared to be bending over backwards to
ensure that there are no untoward incidents, even if the rally theme
itself is brazenly revolutionary.Not only has the authorities allowed Pakatan to rally at the historic and highly symbolic Stadium Merdeka, the police have stated that its target was for "zero casualty" and have pledge to do without the notorious Federal Reserve Unit (riot police).
Rally organisers are putting the authorities' new attitude to the test, with plans to hold multiple street processions proceeding the three-hour rally, which is scheduled to begin at 2pm.
The weather forecast for today is cloudy with a slight chance of showers.
LIVE REPORTS
9.55am: Stadium Merdeka -
The rally venue site is still closed to public but a handful of Pakatan
Rakyat members are already inside the stadium making preparations. Meanwhile, stalls have lined along to the roads for more than 500m outside the stadium in a 'pasar pagi'-like atmosphere.
People are already pouring in around the stadium. The crowd size is estimated at more 2,000 people.
10:10am: Jalan Stadium - Police have set up two tents for the media within the compound of Tun HS Lee police station. They have also set up a counter to register media personnels for on the spot issuing of police-sanctioned press tags.
A number of journalists are here awaiting for the rally to begin in the afternoon. The police station is about 200 metres away from Stadium Merdeka.
[More to follow]
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