KUALA LUMPUR: Some 25,000 people have joined the Bersih 4 rally in the federal capital so far, with many gathering at five designated rally points earlier in the morning.
Amidst a visible police presence in the city, protesters in yellow began moving to Dataran Merdeka even before 2pm, when they were supposed to start moving to the famous landmark.
Major LRT stations were filled with people headed for the rally, despite it being declared illegal.
Larger groups gathered at Central Market, Masjid Jamek, Brickfields, Dataran Maybank and Sogo, initially causing no problems.
Opposition figures, including PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and secretary-general Rafizi Ramli, as well as DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang were seen at some of the rally points, and gave speeches.
At 12.30pm, some of the crowd could be seen marching towards Dataran Merdeka and chanting Bersih.
Although the area had been cordoned off by the police, this did not deter the group, some of whom tried to break the barricade despite the fact that the organisers had told those gathered to stay away.
The group, however, were prevented from entering Dataran Merdeka by police.
As more people began to march towards Dataran Merdeka from the rally points, traffic in some areas came to a standstill.
Though protesters were vocal and, in some cases, provocative, police so far are keeping the peace, choosing not to react to provocation.
At one point, a policeman reportedly pulled a protester to safety as he crossed the road while blowing an air horn, oblivious to oncoming traffic.
Police has been working hard to control traffic for the safety of protesters gathering at the side of the road at Masjid Negara.
Only one lane is available for motorists as protesters are gathering on the other side of the lane.
Meanwhile in Kuching, security is tight near Padang Merdeka, the venue initially proposed by organiser for the Bersih 4 rally. Several roads leading to the area has been cordoned off by police.
In Kota Kinabalu, Bersih Sabah chairman Jennie Lasimbang said rally participants would march out from five starting points towards Taman Teluk Likas 2 at about 2pm.
UPDATES : Two buses plying the Kota Raya-Sogo route and several cars are stranded in Jalan Tun Perak in front of the HSBC building. Thousands of protesters have occupied the street and the march has come to a standstill.
Scores of rally goers have begun to sit down on the street, making the road impassable for the stranded vehicles.
City police chief Datuk Tajudin Md Isa said police estimated 25,000 people had gathered for Bersih so far.
He said everything was under control with no arrest made as yet adding that police were under orders not to take any action unless the crowd turns unruly.
UPDATE : Whereas earlier some people had tried to break through the barricades at Dataran Merdeka, the crowd there has now calmed down. The crowd has choked the areas around Dataran Merdeka, the majority standing while singing and chanting, waving mini Jalur Gemilang, though some were sitting around.
There was no room to walk, though the crowd remained disciplined enough in some areas to stay off the roads, allowing traffic to slowly move through these areas.
Police were still manning the barricades, however, wary that some people might try to create trouble by forcing their way through to Dataran Merdeka.
UPDATE : Beginning 4.30pm, some protesters were seen leaving the area.
When asked why they were leaving, some said: “dah nak hujan, belah lah (it’s going to rain.. leave lah)”, while others said they were frustrated that they could not get anywhere near Dataran Merdeka.
Some protesters met at the Kelana Jaya LRT station later said they had been in Kuala Lumpur early in the day and were tired, and decided to leave.
However, the majority of protesters remained.
City police chief Datuk Tajudin Md Isa said the police are satisfied with the rally.
“We are satisfied with the rally. They have been following orders such as traffic flow. Everything looks fine and controlled, with no reports of provocation so far.”
“And do not listen to rumours about police beating up public, do not spread false news,” he added.
Tajudin also said he hoped the situation tomorrow will emulate the controlled situation today.
In Kuching , crowd gathered at Song Khen Hai field here for the rally started leaving due to hot weather.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Roslan Bek estimated that there are only about 1,000 participants currently at the field.
UPDATE: By 5.20pm, the trickle of people leaving grew steadier as scores began leaving the protest.
UPDATE: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and wife Tun Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has suddenly turned up at Dataran Merdeka.