Any rally held in Malacca this Saturday will not only be unlawful but it will also be disrespectful to the state's governor.

Malacca police chief Chua Ghee Lye said this was because Governor Mohd Khalil Yaakob will be holding a state awards ceremony in conjunction with his official birthday celebration on Saturday.

"Holding a rally on that particular day is disrespectful to the governor. We should be celebrating his birthday in peace.

"Any rally will also be unlawful as it is not in compliance with the Peaceful Assembly Act," Chua told Malaysiakini today.

He noted that no official notice of a rally had been given to the police and as such, police will take the necessary action if there is a demonstration.

Malay army veterans association president Mohd Ali Baharom (photo) is planning to hold a rally in Melaka Raya on Saturday after 'Chinese gangsters' assaulted an immigration officer on Oct 1.

Mohd Ali, better know as Ali Tinju, issued a warning today that the town won't be safe as there might be 'untoward incidents' at the rally, and asked for police to monitor the area.

Five people held

Chua said police will now question Mohd Ali about the warning. "We want to know what he means by it won't be safe," he said.

Police have arrested five people following the assault on the immigration officer during a raid on an entertainment outlet.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar reportedly said 19 immigration officers were surrounded by more than 40 'gangsters' during the operation.