Not all of the 500-odd Malay NGOs expected to part in the planned red shirts rally in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 16 are pro-government or in support of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

This emerged today when a leader of one of the NGOs taking part said the various organsiations involved have different inclinations and may not be on the same page as the government or any political party.

Eratkan Perhubungan Antara Negeri Cetuskan Organisasi (Epanco) president Ariffin Abu Bakar said that the planned gathering was not a show of force for Najib.

“We gather there not to defend (prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak. We gather there for peaceful purposes and there are no political inclinations,” Ariffin said.

He pointed out the NGOs gathering on that day were of different shades and some of them did not like the present system of government administration.

“There are those that support the government, the opposition, (former p[rime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad and also, there will be PAS supporters.

"We see there is a lot of chaos following problems faced with the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) and other problems plaguing the country,” Ariffin ( photo ) said when met at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

The Malaysia Day red shirts rally, alternatively promoted as 'Perhimpunan Maruah Melayu' and 'Perhimpunan Rakyat Bersatu', has jangled nerves with various quarters accusing the still unknown organisers of tainting it with a racial slant.

The rally is supposedly to a counter the mammoth Bersih 4 gathering two weeks ago that had, among others, demanded for scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to resign.

Chinese, Indians invited

Several right-wing organisations and fringe groups then branded the Bersih 4 rally as 'Chinese' and called on the Malays to respond with a gathering of their own.

Najib, who is also Umno president, said on Wednesday the party was not opposed to the rally and Umno members may participate if they wish.

Malay NGOs Coalition chairperson Jamal Mohd Yunos (photo ) has previously been quoted as saying the rally was to show Malay unity and defend Malay dignity.

He said the coaltion expects 300,000 people to turn up for the rally.

Earlier today, Jamal invited Chinese and Indians to also participate in the rally.

"This is a Malay rally and we are inviting Chinese and Indians who share the same understanding and thoughts to join us.

"They are the ones who helped maintain the voice of the people in the last general elections," he said.

Jamal said this to reporters outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, where he had come along with 10 other Malay NGO leaders whom police called to question on the rally.

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