Kuala Lumpur: Amid fears of violence and chaos, security was stepped up in the Malaysian capital Friday for a planned rally seeking controversial electoral reforms in the country.
The authorities have banned the rally by Bersih organisation seeking electoral reforms, including measures to prevent vote-buying and fraud, and equal media access for both the ruling party and opposition.
The police had to put in place tight security measures over the illegal rally planned for Saturday to maintain public order and ensure the people`s safety, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.
Major roads in the capital will be closed from midnight tonight. "Road blocks have to be set up at certain places to prevent troublemakers from entering the city," he was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.
"We have information that the troublemakers plan to stage demonstrations and marches at several locations in this city," he said.
He warned that some groups planned to use mosques to gather en masse and create chaos.
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that the government was ready to allow it hold the events outside of capital to prevent chaos and violence.
Reports have suggested that youth wing of the ruling party may hold a counter rally.
In the 2008 general elections, a resurgent opposition stunned the government by making unprecedented gains against Prime Minister Najib Razak`s Barisan Nasional coalition, which has governed Malaysia for half a century.
PTI
