The police have warned members of Pro-Rakyat and Otai Reformasi not to interfere in the Sept 16 rally as it could aggravate the situation.

“Don’t do police work,” inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar cautioned the groups today.

He said members of these groups should not attempt to stop participants of the 'red shirts rally' or they could face action.

He added while the police commend them for wanting to ensure that nobody is harmed they, however, should not take the law into their own hands.

“So I warn them not to interfere, or they would face action,” Khalid told Malaysiakini .

“Only the police are authorised to take action against those who threaten peace and security,” he added.

The police chief was responding to reports that some 2,500 members of the two groups would camp from dawn to midnight at Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street to protect Chinese traders.

“As Muslims, also Malays and Malaysians, we wish to give our assurance that we will not allow the people of Malaysia, regardless of race, to be harmed," said Pro-Rakyat president Khairul Anwar Othman.

Meanwhile, Khalid also pledged that police would ensure no untoward incidents happen at Wednesday's 'red shirts' rally.

“I am mobilising a huge number of personnel. So there is no need to be alarmed or concerned. We will ensure the gathering is peaceful,” he said.

Rally re-branded

The police chief also warned participants not to cross the line.

“All those who intend to participate in the rally must ensure they adhere to the law. We would not tolerate any forms of provocation or actions that threaten peace,” he said.

The Sept 16 rally was first mooted to counter Bersih 4 after images of participants stomping on photographs of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang emerged.

Dubbed as 'red shirts rally', it was touted as a gathering to uphold Malay pride but posters and images were circulated warning the Chinese of racial blood-letting.

The organiser National Silat Federation or Pesaka later re-branded the rally as ‘Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu’ and invited government supporters of all races to attend.