The Himpunan Merah faction of the red shirts led by Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos showcased its claimed multi-racial makeup today, gathering a 300-strong crowd comprising dozens of Indians and Chinese, in addition to its usual predominantly Malay line-up.

Jamal claimed that those present represent hundreds of Malay, Chinese and Indian-based NGOs, who will mobilise to face the 'yellow shirt' governance reform coalition Bersih 2.0 supporters, at the soon-to-be announced Bersih 5 rally.

About one-third of the crowd, 100 or so, were of Indian and Chinese descent.

However, some of the those present at the movement's press conference in the PWTC compound today, do not seem to know the full story.

Those that Malaysiakini talked to mostly claimed that they were there to support peace, Jamal, the BN and as one claimed, to 'destroy Bersih', though he cannot meaningfully explain why, beyond the difference in the colour of their shirts.

Not many also seem to be aware of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) July 21 forfeiture filing to seize assets purportedly bought using monies said to be stolen from sovereign fund 1MDB, which is core to why Bersih 2.0 plan to hold the rally.

Loh Chan Soy (left) said he came from Klang after being told about the gathering, though when asked why he came, Loh said: "That is difficult to answer. We came only hoping for peace".

When directly asked what the DOJ stands for, he said, "I don't know". On 1MDB, Loh just said, "That also I don't know. Just hope for peace".

Asked if Malaysiakini could also interview a friend who accompanied him, Loh remarked, "He knows less than me".

Another man who identifies himself as Raja Kamal similarly said "I don't know" when asked about the same matter.

He was among some 40 people whom he said came in one bus to PWTC from Sabak Bernam.

Meanwhile, another participant, Sarimalinggam Doraisamy (right) stressed that they came not to protest against the Malaysian government.

"We know that issue...We came to show unity with the people," he said, claiming to represent the Malaysian Indian Welfare Association.

"I don't know the meaning of DOJ...," he said, adding that he knows what 1MDB stands for but not the exact issues.

Meanwhile Raziq Razihan (below) , said he did not even listen to Jamal's speech but came with his friends from Keramat to support Jamal and Barisan Nasional, and to "destroy Bersih."

Asked why he wanted to destroy Bersih, the 19-year-old said, "because they are the yellow shirts and we are red shirts".

Jamal earlier scorned Bersih and the opposition for allegedly hiding behind students who yesterday organised and led the TangkapMO1 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

He claimed the students and protesters were ignorant of the DOJ 1MDB-linked civil suit and were paid to attend the TangkapMO1 rally by the opposition.

Some 1,500 people yesterday joined the student-led Tangkap Malaysian Official 1 rally to pressure authorities to identify, investigate and charge the individual mentioned 36 times in the DOJ civil suit to recover nearly US$1 billion in assets linked to 1MDB.

Another faction of the red shirts, Gerakan Merah led by Mohd Ali Baharom popularly known as Ali Tinju, had earlier said that they will hold a counter-rally against TangkapMO1 but backed out at the eleventh hour.