The Pakatan Harapan anti-kleptocracy rally will proceed at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya this Saturday, despite police objection against the use of the venue.

Harapan deputy president Mohamad Sabu said Petaling Jaya police had, through a letter to the organisers, cited possible traffic disruptions around the venue as a reason for its objection.

"We received the letter from the police yesterday stating the venue is unsuitable because of traffic disruption.

"We will write back and let them know that we will cooperate to coordinate traffic flow, together with Petaling Jaya City Council officers," Mohamad told a press conference at Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

According to the letter signed by Petaling Jaya district police chief Mohd Zani Che Din, the organiser's notice submitted under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 was rejected based on six factors related to traffic concerns.

Among others, it was stated that the rally would disrupt the flow of passengers to and from the nearby Taman Jaya LRT station; block access to feeder buses to and from the station; as well as disrupt traffic on Jalan Timur.

Commenting further, Mohamad, who is better known as Mat Sabu, said the organisers did not plan for an alternative venue and have finalised their set-up for the carnival-like rally.

"This is not a moving rally, so we have set-up sound systems, screens and other elements.

"The cost is also quite high. It is cheaper to have a 'moving' rally," Mat Sabu quipped.

At the same time, he said the organisers have also taken into account the option of using public transportation and to end the rally at 11pm to enable rally goers to take the LRT from the Taman Jaya station.

Selangor DAP chief Tony Pua pointed out that the organisers have fulfilled all their duties and the police similarly have a role to enable the rally to go on.

"The duty of the police is to facilitate and enable the assembly, rather than block it for whatever reason.

"Unless they are trying to block the rally altogether, which is against the law," Pua, the Petaling Jaya Utara MP, said.

Amanah Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil said yesterday that 700 security personnel would be on duty on Saturday, and the choice of Padang Timur as the venue has been given approval by the Petaling Jaya City Council.