Less than a week before the scheduled 'red shirt' rally, the National Malay Martial Arts Association (Pesaka) has still not released any statement on the gathering nor confirm it is the organiser.

When asked if Pesaka is the organiser of the ‘red shirt’ rally, its secretary-general Megat Zulkarnain Omardin told Malaysiakini that he reserved his comment.

"We will have a meeting tonight and most likely, will call for a big press conference tomorrow," he said.

Pesaka will definitely make an official statement after reaching a decision at tonight's meeting, he added.

According to Megat, he and Pesaka president Mohd Ali Rustam, who is also the former chief minister of Melaka, will issue the statement on behalf of the silat (Malay martial arts) group.

'No comment until permit is issued'

Earlier, Malay NGO coalition chairperson Jamal Md Yunos, in a press conference on the rally this afternoon, said there are two Pesaka representatives present.

However, they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the group, he said, and will not give any comment before getting a permit from the police.

"Pesaka is currently waiting for the police to give permit to assemble first but even if the permit is not issued, we will still come to assemble on Malaysian Day," he told Malaysiakini , when asked why Pesaka has not yet issued a statement as the rally organiser.

Jamal ( photo ) said they are expecting a turnout of about 300,000, with 30,000 coming from Malay NGOs.

Reported to be a counter to Bersih 4, a mammoth gathering held over the Merdeka Day weekend, the 'red shirt' rally is scheduled to start at 11am on Malaysia Day, which falls on Sept 16, and is a public holiday.

The red shirts are scheduled to gather at Jalan Bukit Bintang and march to Petaling Street, heading towards Padang Merbok before ending their gathering at midnight.

Jamal said the full schedule of the rally will be revealed at the next press conference.