Jamal warns of riot at Petaling Street if authorities don't act
If the authorities fail to act against the counterfeit goods and foreign traders at Petaling Street, a riot may erupt at the iconic tourist spot in Kuala Lumpur.
Ironically, Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos issued this warning outside the Ampang district police headquarters today.
"If the authorities don't act by Friday, I am 99 percent certain on Saturday, there would be a rally and a riot may happen," he said.
Jamal said he met with the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry enforcement director to highlight the demands of the group that caused a ruckus outside Petaling Street during the Sept 16 rally.
"I am the middleman between those who rioted that day (and the ministry). I have conveyed their demands to the authorities and it is now up to the authorities.
"But if the authorities don't take action by Friday and if anything happens, I would not be responsible," he told reporters after filing a slew of police reports on slanderous blog and social media postings about him.
Jamal: About 5,000 people will turn up
Responding to a question, Jamal estimated a crowd of 5,000 to turn up at Petaling Street but remained tightlipped on their identities.
"They are the ones who rioted at Petaling Street (on Sept 16). I cannot reveal who they are. Wait at Petaling Street (to find out)," he said.
However, Jamal said, another round of negotiations would be held tomorrow.
"I hope the traders' association cooperates so that another Sept 16 incident can be avoided," he added.
On Sept 16, Jamal said he managed to pacify those at Petaling Street, which is also known as Chinatown, with the agreement to raise their concerns with the authorities.
He reiterated that they wanted action taken against the traders there, who seem to be invincible due to the absence of raids and arrests.
"Petaling Street sells counterfeit goods and the traders there are Myanmarese, Bangladeshis and Nepalese.
"They also want traders to share the business with other races and not to be monopolised by the Chinese alone," Jamal said.
On Sept 16, the Federal Reserve Unit was forced to fire its water cannon to disperse the red shirt protesters who pelted police personnel with bottles and rocks.
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