KUALA Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim today thanked anti-Dr Zakir Naik rally organisers and the public for not pursuing with their initial plan to hold a protest in Brickfields.

The city police chief said that the situation in the area was under control, but said roads into the predominantly Indian enclave had to be blocked.

“We want things to be orderly and peaceful. Thank you for not coming to the rally and thank you for cooperating with us,” he said when met in Brickfields.

“But if some people are still stubborn, we will take action,” he added.

Mazlan said that investigations into those organising the rally are ongoing.

“This issue is over. If you have plans to organise a rally, please do not do it. This is to avoid things from becoming worse,” he said.

The ‘Say No to Zakir Naik’ rally was scheduled for 2pm, but organiser Shankar Ganesh Siridharan called it off earlier today, saying PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had urged him to do so.

Despite Shankar’s decision, there were WhatsApp messages being circulated among small groups and between individuals earlier today, urging people to show up.

The rally today was to protest against Dr Zakir, who is accused of insulting Malaysian Indians during a talk he gave in Kota Baru, Kelantan earlier this month.

The rally today was also meant to protest other issues, such as the teaching of khat to Year 4 pupils in Tamil and Chinese vernacular schools, as well as Indian poverty and marginalisation.

The police had blocked roads leading to Little India in Brickfields this morning to prevent people from gathering for the rally.

Yesterday, a rally was held in the same are by mostly Indians to protest against the teaching of khat calligraphy to Year 4 Tamil and Chinese school pupils.

Two men were taken in by police for questioning after yesterday’s anti-khat rally.

Chief coordinator of the rally, Umagandhan Krishnan, and Malaysia Chinese-Educated Students’ Association chairman Tan Boon Tak were released at noon today after spending a night in police custody.

Earlier today Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin warned that severe action will be taken against who play up issues concerning race, religion and royals.

He said police intelligence has found an increase in tendencies to use these issues to stir discontent. – August 24, 2019.