A coalition of 20 NGOs has asked the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, through a memorandum, to try to stop the planned red shirt anti-Bersih rally on Sept 16.

This is because the publicity for the counter-protest has so far suggested that there will be bloodshed, ProRakyat president Khairul Anuar Othman said outside the Istana Negara today.

Anyone is allowed to have a peaceful gathering as it is a right guaranteed in the Federal Constitution, Khairul Anuar said, but this counter protest does not seem like it will be peaceful.

"From the advertisements and posters from the organisers, this gathering looks like it will be filled with elements of violence," he told reporters.

ProRakyat is one of the NGOs in the coalition, along with Otai Reformasi 1998, National Interlok Action Team (Niat), and Jingga13, as well as others.

Can police control the rally?

Otai Reformasi 1998 work secretary Abdul Razak Ismail said their memorandum was received by a public relations officer from Istana Negara, Mohamad Husni Yusuf.

One of the reasons why they are sending this memorandum to the Agong is because of their concern for police effectiveness in dealing with the rally.

"The police are in a difficult position. On one hand, they have to enforce the law. On the other hand, they have to obey their political masters," Razak explained.

Last Sunday, deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said that the red shirt rally would be barred due to security reasons.

However, a few days later, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he will not bar any Umno member from joining the rally, a sentiment that was echoed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on Wednesday.

Hence, Razak said, this caused their lack of confidence in the ability of the police force to control the rally.

To make sure the rally does not degenerate into violence, he said, Otai Reformasi and ProRakyat would be sending a total of 2,500 volunteers to monitor the rally.

The rally is slated to kick off at Jalan Bukit Bintang, then head towards Petaling Street ( photo above ) before finally ending at Padang Merbok, near Parliament House.

"Are you confident that there will be no fighting or chaos at Low Yat Plaza or Petaling Street?" he asked.

'Not all Malays on their side'

"I cannot speak for the other NGOs but this is our promise: We will maintain our people on the streets from morning till midnight on Sept 16 to make sure the situation is under control and that our Chinese friends are unharmed," Razak ( photo, in black ) insisted.

Another reason for the submission of this memorandum to the Agong, Khairul said, is because the objectives and agenda of the red shirt rally organisers are unclear.

"(For example) Bersih had five very clear demands but the organisers of this (red shirt) rally have no direction.

"What is their objective? They want to tell the Chinese not to challenge the Malays?

"Who are the Malays? We (himself and the other NGO representatives) are all Malays. Not all Malays are on their side.

"We want a Malaysia that is united, peaceful and without any racial fighting," Razak added.

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