ROADBLOCK AGAIN

Roadblocks ahead of Protes rally

By ANDREW SAGAYAM

STAR KUALA LUMPUR: The police are setting up roadblocks to ensure peace and order in the city centre in anticipation of the price hike rally near KLCC on Saturday.

Police started setting up roadblocks from Friday as a precaution ahead of the illegal gathering expected to take place in front of the Twin Towers in Jalan Ampang here.

The gathering organised by Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) is expected to begin at 3pm but police believe it could start much earlier.

"We will screen motorists entering the city centre especially into the KLCC area to identify troublemakers ahead of the planned gathering.

"Suspicious motorists would be inspected and their vehicles searched," Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said.

He told newsmen this at the district police headquarters in Jalan Stadium here Friday.

ACP Zulkarnain said all roads leading to and near KLCC would be cordoned beginning Saturday morning and only be reopened when it was considered safe.

He said a crowd of at least 5,000 people are expected to take part in the protest and police will be "everywhere" to handle the situation.

"Even if they move to a new location in the city to stage their protest, we will be ready for them," he warned.

He said motorists are advised to avoid the KLCC area as all roads leading there will be blocked and traffic congestion is expected.

ACP Zulkarnain said the police did not issue any permit to Protes who submitted a letter to the police on Jan 23.