Cops detect attempts to 'provoke chaos' in Black505

In a media statement today, Kuala Lumpur police chief DCP Datuk Mohmad Salleh said that the organisers of the rally are also expected to spark chaos around the city.

"Kuala Lumpur police have received information that the organisers have ordered all participants of the rally to provoke the authorities that have been stationed to manage the crowd at Padang Merbok and seven other locations tomorrow," said Mohmad.

"This provocation is intended to create anger on the part of the police towards participants and can cause a commotion at those areas," he added.

Mohmad also said that the ensueing chaos will be "intentionally spread" worldwide through various communication means to paint a picture that the authorities was high handed.

Everyone was to stay away from the rally as "it is clear that the organisers wants to see a clash between the authorities and the people."

He also said that police will not hesitate to take stern action against anyone who break the law.

Prior to this, Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Zainuddin Ahmad dismissed a reported softened stance by the authorities on the Black 505 rally to take place in the city tomorrow.

Instead, thegave a final warning to would-be participants and organisers of the Blackout 505 rally, saying that the assembly was "still illegal”.

He said that police will still be taking action under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Section 9 deals with the requirement on rally organisers to notify police 10 days before a planned assembly.

“We have enough [manpower], we are prepared to face them,” Zainuddin told Astro AWANI.

He said that police are also prepared to take action if someone breaks any other laws, including possibly bringing weapons to the rally.

“We are also fully empowered to act in accordance to other laws, including the Penal Code,” he said.

On the possibility of the army being roped in to assist in crowd handling, Zainuddin simply said:”They are ready, but only on request.”

Zainuddin also brushed aside quotes from one ASP Ananthan Rajoo of Dang Wangi district police as reported in FreeMalaysiaToday, saying that only a district police chief is authorised to speak.

In the report, Ananthan said that instructions have been given by top brass to facilitate the gathering in Padang Merbok.

“We are supposed to facilitate the gathering to ensure that it will not turn violent,” Ananthan said. Ananthan then explained that breaking the law would include destroying government propert

However, Zainuddin said that the public should only listen to him. "No no no, don't listen to police officers who are not authorised to speak.".

The same report had also quoted City Hall (DBKL) media relations officer Hassan Abu Bakar as saying that the local authority will not change its stance on not permitting the planned rally.

This is despite the cancellation of a fun run organised by McDonalds and Olympic Council of Malaysia. DBKL said that the venue would cause “traffic congestion”.

PKR today also said that it received unofficial confirmation that police will facilitate the rally, saying that all efforts have been made to ensure it would be peaceful.

PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said that medical volunteers will be on the ground to assist as the haze situation is “worrying”.

A medical headquarters will be set up at Padang Merbut, while four others at Dataran Merdeka, Masjid Negara, Kompleks Sogo and Dataran Maybank. There will also be mobile ambulances and motorcycles patrolling.