One day before the "Black 14" people's gathering scheduled at the National Mosque, many heavily-armed police personnel have already been seen stationed at various places around Kuala Lumpur from early this morning.

The police had earlier announced tough moves to prevent the "illegal" gathering, including mounting roadblocks on highways to the capital and checks on railway passengers and beefing up the police contingent in Kuala Lumpur with personnel from other states.

Groups of police personnel were spotted around public transportation terminals such as the Putra LRT station in Pasar Seni and Kuala Lumpur railway station. Most of the them were seen armed with the M16 assault rifles, an indication that the police are acting to prevent groups of participants who are expected to descend on Kuala Lumpur from outstation.

KeADILan leaders had been stationing themselves at strategic points nationwide to coordinate the exercise, with the organisers having set up a "Black 14" website specially for the event to mark the first anniversary of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's sentence to six-year jail on corruption charges last April 14.

It was reported in the reformasi website that supporters from all over the country headed by KeADILan leaders and NGOs would travel to the Malaysian capital tonight in groups.

Organisers have posted on the Internet a highly detailed schedule of the event, outlining train, bus and light railway schedules, route maps and details of where various opposition supporters will embark on trains nationwide.

According to the schedule, Muslim protesters will assemble at the National Mosque while non-Muslims have been advised to meet near the Dayabumi complex nearby, and they will march to the Yang diPertuan Agong's palace in the early evening to deliver a memorandum to the king on "unjust" treatment of Anwar by the authorities.

By early afternoon, a huge presence of police personnel was already in place at the Dataran Merdeka and its vicinity.

At around 1:30pm, seven Federal Reserve Unit trucks were seen parked along Jalan Raja, the main road fronting the open field, and a few police tents were erected nearby. There was even a fire engine parked near the Sultan Abdul Samad building, located opposite of Dataran Merdeka.

Heavily-armed police personnel were also seen at the Masjid Jamek and Pasar Seni LRT terminals.

Malaysiakini noted that more than 10 FRU trucks, several land rovers and a water-cannon truck were stationed at the national mosque. Security personnel were also stationed at all toll plazas entering the city. Many police personnel were also seen around the Petronas Twin Tower at the KLCC and the national palace.

Police jeeps were also reported to be stationed at various locations in Sentul, Gombak, People's Park and Damansara where the rally leaders are supposed to lead their supporters into the city centre.

Despite the unusually prominent presence of police personnel, many city folks seemed unperturbed.

When approached by malaysiakini, many shop-keepers whose shops are situated around Masjid Jamek area said they will open for business as usual tomorrow.

A newspaper stall owner situated at Jalan Raja said, "I'll be open, no matter what happens."

However, most people are reluctant to talk much when they were approached for their comments on the "Black 14" gathering. But no doubt, they have anticipated an "eventful" tomorrow, considering the large police presence around town.

Malaysiakini had reported the Home Ministry Parliamentary Secretary, Abu Zahar Isnin, as saying that the police identified certain groups that will try to cause havoc during the rally tomorrow. ([#1] "'Troubles' expected this Saturday, says Home Ministry",[/#] April 12)

However, KeADILan Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd.Nor, who was arrested this afternoon, denied the allegation. He said that based on previous occasions, trouble did not occur until the police started it.

Ezam also had advised participants that they are forbidden to carry any objects that may be misconstrued as weapons and they are not to fight back even if the police beat them. ([#2] "Don't fight the police even if you're beaten"[/#] , April 13)