Red shirt rally leader Jamal Md Yunos released

Police did not seek a remand for Jamal, who was picked up for making threats of a race-fuelled riot in Petaling Street.

“I want to warn the media which reported inaccurately that they will face the brunt of the law and from me”.

Jamal said that according to information from his colleagues, the slander perpetrated against him by the media benefitted Pakatan Harapan as it gave them the opportunity to take advantage of the situation and portray themselves as saviours of the people.

“They (the media) only published certain parts (of the statement) without taking into consideration what was said in the press conference”.

“The police asked me to help disperse the crowd and that is all I did”, he said, adding that he did not organise either rally.

City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad confirmed Jamal’s release.

Jamal was detained under Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code last night for his statement regarding a potential riot at Petaling Street today.

A rally planned by pro-Malay groups in Kuala Lumpur was called off without any notice Saturday, as police secured a predominantly Chinese commercial district where protesters were dispersed with water cannon earlier this month.

Later, he distanced himself from the planned rally.

“I just expressed my concerns if the authorities, including the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry fail to take action based on the complaints of the group which gathered at Petaling Street on Sept 16”, he added.

Around 200 police officers from the Federal Reserve Unit were seen guarding Petaling Street – a tourist hub with more than 500 small shops selling a wide range of products – since 10 a.m. (0200GMT). “I have done my duty and its up to the authorities”.

Meantime, Mohd Ali Baharom, who claimed to be one of the organisers, backtracked on his vow to attack Petaling Street.

“We don’t want another 916 incident to happen again”, he had said in reference to the September 16 Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu gathering in Kuala Lumpur, which saw red-shirted protesters rallying to defend Malay dignity.