'Red Shirt' rally cannot be linked to racial provocation - Pak Lah

Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the 'Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu' or the 'Red Shirt' rally held in the city yesterday cannot be linked to racial provocation.

Instead, he said the rally was held in reaction to the Bersih 4 rally, which was held on Aug 29-30.

"I don't think it's a racial provocation. Some people may think of it that way, but there was no provocation that leads to a fight," he told reporters when asked to comment on the matter.

Abdullah was met at 'Jasamu Dikenang' programme, a farewell ceremony for the former director-general of Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia, Datuk Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan here, today.

The former prime minister also advised those who would like to participate in peaceful assembly in the future to do without being provocative.

"It does not matter what colour of shirt you want to wear during the assembly, just don't do anything that can result in violence," he said.