KUALA Lumpur police are ready to handle the rally against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination this Saturday, including a gathering of silat exponents from Kumpulan Silat Melayu outside Istana Negara before the rally begins.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim said they have the manpower to face issues that should arise from both events.

“I can assure the public that we have enough police officers to ensure that things go on smoothly,” Mazlan told a press conference this evening.

“We will also be monitoring a small gathering of silat exponents outside Istana Negara on the morning before the rally. Police will be there.”

Mazlan said he would not divulge the number of policemen who will be on duty, as it would seem like “we are going for war”.

He said Kumpulan Silat Melayu will be handing over a memorandum to the palace, adding that they had applied for a permit to gather outside the palace.

“After handing over the memorandum, they will march to Dataran Merdeka together with the other anti-ICERD protesters,” he said.

The police chief warned the rally participants to abide by the law.

“They should not bring any weapons to the rally, follow the rules, and refrain from creating chaos,” he said, adding that the police will not think twice about taking action against troublemakers.

Mazlan reminded those attending the rally not to bring their children, as it is an offence under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012.

The protest, led by opposition parties Umno and PAS and Malay rights group Perkasa, will be held on Jalan Raja, opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad building from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday.

Right-wing Malay groups, including PAS and Umno leaders, have been pushing for the rally to go on despite Putrajaya backtracking on its pledge to ratify ICERD. – December 6, 2018.