'Red shirts' rally: Do not touch on racial sensitivities - Ahmad Zahid

Police will take action against participants of the "Perhimpunan Rakyat Bersatu" (United Citizens Assembly) tomorrow should they violate regulations and touch on racial sensitivities, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said police would monitor the 'Red Shirt' rally organised by the National Silat Federation (Pesaka) at Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur.

"Although the assembly has obtained approval from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the police have set several conditions, like the parade from five locations to Padang Merbok should not be tarnished with banners, posters or words that touch on racial sensitivities and matters stated in the Sedition Act.

"Police will seize the banners and posters. We will take action like we did during the Bersih rally," he told reporters after meeting participants of the Asean Ride convoy here today.

About 30,000 participants from 250 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are expected to take part in the rally tomorrow.

The organiser of the rally was given permission by DBKL yesterday to hold a peaceful assembly at Padang Merbok.

Ahmad Zahid also said the rally planned for tomorrow was not a programme by UMNO, but by a group of NGOs as a manifestation for the people to not bring down a person's dignity.

"I hope the message is understood by all. As a multi-racial country, with people from various cultural and religious background, we have to have respect for one another," he added.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, after evaluating the views from Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, said the 'Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu' rally in the city planned for Sept 16 must comply with the law.

He also reminded that the rally should avoid conflict which can threaten security since Sept 16, 1963 marked the establishment of Malaysia.