Police have given the green light for the #TangkapMalaysianOfficial1 organisers to proceed with their rally on Aug 27.

However, group spokesperson Anis Syafiqah Mohd Yusuf, told Malaysiakini they were instructed to obtain permission from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for the planned gathering at Dataran Merdeka.

She said this was based on the outcome of their meeting with Dang Wangi district police chief Zainol Samah and two DBKL officers earlier this afternoon.

“We have officially notified the police and also submitted a letter to DBKL, requesting approval to gather at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 27.

“During the meeting, the DBKL officers requested that we submit a formal letter to the Kuala Lumpur mayor, and so after that we proceeded to go to his office,” said Anis Syafiqah (photo, right).

She said the letter was received by the mayor's assistant and they were notified that he would look into their application by today itself.

“At the meeting, the police also said, ‘for now you all (organisers) are okay but if anything happens, then we have to inform your parents and universities (of any offences)',” she said.

She added that they had been summoned to the official meeting at the Dang Wangi police station today.

In a statement later Zainol clarified that police has yet to process their notice to hold the rally, pending approval from DBKL.

"The approval is needed as provided for under Section 10 of the PAA. DBKL had also informed them during the meeting that on the date (Aug 27, Dataran Merdeka would be used for rehearsals for the National Day celebrations.

"I had advised them not to do the rally on the date because it would disrupt the preparations," he said.

He further warned that if they proceed with the rally without obtaining DBKL's approval, police would not hesitate to take necessary actions under the law.

Asked if they would still gather at Dataran Merdeka if DBKL does not grant their approval, she insisted that the organisers have complied with all requirements under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

The rally is organised to pressure authorities into identifying and taking action against the individual identified as 'Malaysian Offical 1' in the United States Department of Justice’s civil suit to recover nearly US$1 billion in assets linked to 1MDB.

So far, the youth wings of PKR, DAP and Amanah have pledged to mobilise its members to attend the rally.

The planned gathering is also backed by electoral reform coalition Bersih and a coalition of student and youth groups.