Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Quiet Night in Bukit Bintang ahead of the rally

Today is Malaysia Day, not to be confused with Independence Day that we just celebrated on August 31.

Malaysia Day, Sep 16, is historical for Malaysia as this is date marks the joining together of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia way back in 1963. This year's official celebration will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Negotiating the streets of KL today might be tricky today as many major roads in the city are being closed ahead of the red shirt rally that is planned today from 12noon to 7pm. A check on Bukit Bintang area around midnight last night by The Star reporters showed a quiet Bukit Bintang. Here, take a look.



According to The Star, Hawkers and petty traders in the Imbi, Pudu and Lee Lam Thye markets in Kuala Lumpur, however, have decided to close today although some may remain open.


Shopping complexes in the city will be open however,

The rally, will see those taking part march from Federal Territory Mosque, National Mosque, PWTC and Karangkraf building heading to the assembly area at Padang Merbok. Police will close several major roads today.


The following roads will be closed:
Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Kinabalu, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Dato Onn roundabout, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Kinabalu/Jalan Hishamuddin, Jalan Pudu/Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Raja, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Munsyi Abdullah/Jalan Dang Wangi, Sultan Mohammad roundabout, Jalan Damansara, Hishamuddin roundabout, Jalan Kuching/Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Conlay, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Leboh Ampang/Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Sultan Ismail/Jalan Ampang would be done in stages based on traffic flow.

Alternative routes to the city centre are available for those who want to go about their business there. The routes include Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Hang Tuah, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Pahang roundabout, Jalan Loke Yew/Jalan Hang Tuah and Jalan Bukit Bintang.

As for the haze, Kuala Lumpur is still shrouded in unhealthy smog - an API reading of around 200. It is clearly unsafe to be outdoors for an extended period of time.

Schools had to be closed yesterday, Tuesday, and it is still unsure whether school will reopen on Thursday. Today, Wednesday, is a public holiday being Malaysia Day.

The school holidays are set to start this Saturday in all states and a day earlier in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Happy Malaysia Day!


Latest update from The Star at 8:37am..

Red shirt protesters gather


Red shirt protesters have started gathering at various locations in the city centre on Wednesday.

As the small groups of people started trickling in as early as 7am, police also made their presence felt.

Federal Reserve Unit personnel and trucks were seen on standby at strategic locations, mainly at Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street, the gathering points for the protesters.



Source: The Star

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