The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has denied that its event to be held tomorrow in the city centre has any connection with the red shirt rally.

“We don’t have any connection with the red shirt rally. We just want to celebrate Malaysia Day which is on the 16th,” said a Felda spokesperson.

He said the event was instead an annual one where settlers will gather at one particular region.

The spokesperson however admitted that this year’s event will be “bigger”.

“For Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day, we will find a place (to hold the event), normally we will cooperate with (the particular) state government.

“It’s a regional initiative to celebrate Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day," he said.

He also denied that Felda was using its funds to ferry the farmers to the event.

“No (Felda is not using its funds). (It’s just) the commitment from our settlers to celebrate Malaysia Day,” he reiterated.

He also confirmed that 20,000 Felda settlers will be involved in tomorrow’s event.

“Yes (they come from various states). But the settlers are from the peninsular only, not Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

20,000 Felda settlers will be in KL

Felda Settlers’ Children’s Association (Anak) president Mazlan Aliman yesterday questioned the event, called the “Himpunan Warga Felda Sempena Hari Malaysia”, on whether it was related to the red shirt rally.

Citing a letter issued on behalf of the Felda Community Development director by one Zulhai Mohd Nor Affendy, Mazlan ( photo ) said 20,000 Felda settlers will be ferried into Kuala Lumpur by 500 buses and the group will converge on Dataran Jalan Conlay at 11am.

The letter also states that the objective of the rally is to show “unity and solidarity” of the Felda people along with organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Mazlan had also asked whether Felda was bearing the cost of ferrying the 20,000 settlers, and if so, then the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police should investigate this.

The red shirts, led by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos, will be joining the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu rally in Padang Merbok tomorrow.

The group had previously dubbed the rally Himpunan Maruah Melayu, before organisers National Silat Federation (Pesaka) told the media that the rally was for all Malaysians.

The demonstration is being held in response to the Bersih 4 protest, which was deemed to be Chinese-dominated and insulted the Malays and their leaders.