After promising another " panas (hot) like Low Yat" incident at the Kota Raya shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur this evening, Mohd Ali Baharom, better known as Ali Tinju, presented a rather chill affair instead.

Less than 20 members of 'Gerakan Merah' turned up for the protest held in response to news reports of a phone trader cheating and confining a customer.

Turning down the flame, Ali Tinju denied he wanted to make this a heated issue and blamed the media for sensationalising it.

" Mana ada panas ? (Where is it hot?). The only 'panas' thing is you reporters crowding me for comments," he said.

Quizzed on his earlier statement that it would be 'panas', he replied: "No, no. It is the media which sensationalised the matter."

The Malay Army Veterans Association president said he merely wanted to "visit" the complex and reprimand the traders not to engage in unethical and unlawful practices.

"We are not here to riot. That is wrong. I deny that (accusation) strongly.

"We have never rioted or stoked the flames of racism. We champion the welfare of the rakyat who are disappointed after being cheated," he added.

A check by Malaysiakini revealed that numerous shops in Kota Raya had closed in anticipation of the protest.

Asked why the shops were closed, a trader, who declined to be named said they did so because they were “scared”.

“We closed our shops because the red shirts are here,” he said.

This morning, Ali Tinju had sent a Whatsapp message to media organisations regarding the protest, which he stated was for "Malay pride".

" TV3, TV1, Bernama TV, Utusan Malaysia, Sinar, BH (Berita Harian) dan lain2 Media .. Kami Ketua-Ketua Gerakan Merah turun hari ini (Jumaat) jam 4petang pergi ke komplex Kota Raya.

(We the leaders of Gerakan Merah will go down to Kota Raya Complex at 4pm.)

" Isu kedai Cina jual barang menipu pembeli ppuan Melayu. Jom demi maruah Melayu ! #AliTinju," read the message.

(The issue of a Chinese shop cheating a Malay woman customer. Come, for Malay pride)

Boycott Kota Raya complex

Meanwhile, Ali Tinju asked the public to boycott Kota Raya complex over the incident where a customer was allegedly confined by shop keepers for refusing to purchase handphones.

He also suggested that all traders should undergo courses conducted by the government in order for them to show respect to customers.

“I ask that the government calls all traders to go for courses so that they will know how to respect customers. Don’t think that you are already rich because you do business.

“I am warning you, if this incident recurs, the Malays will rise and boycott Chinese traders.

“Not all Chinese traders like to lie, however. But doing so (lying and distorting facts) are against the law,” he added.

Umno-linked Malay broadsheet Utusan Malaysia on Wednesday had reported that a man was locked up in a small room for four hours by unknown men for not wanting to continue with the purchase of several handphones.

The man had reportedly refused to buy four handphones from the shop which cost RM10,000 when the original price is only RM800.