KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — Retired former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Norian Mai today put his faith in “rational” Malaysians, as he brushed aside talk of an alleged attempt to spark a revolution during the annual New Year's Eve countdown at Dataran Merdeka tomorrow night.

The ex-police chief said the situation in Malaysia is unlike that of the Arab Spring demonstrations that brought down a long-term president in Egypt and mass protests in Tunisia following the killings of at least two prominent opposition politicians.

“The background in the Arab Spring differs,” Norian was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini at a press conference today.

“I believe in the police capability (if there are attempts to overthrow the government). I am confident that Malaysians are rational and this would not happen,” he added.

Over the past week, allegations of a movement to topple the government has made its rounds on social media, with the latest being an unverified claim of an alleged plan to blow up bombs during a planned price hike rally tomorrow night.

PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli was hauled in for questioning yesterday over an email that named him in connection with the alleged bomb plans, according to Federal CID director Comm Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah.

Ho added that as of yesterday, a total of 1,151 police reports were filed nationwide against the rally, which the authorities believe is an attempt by several groups to overthrow the government.

Norian today urged the protestors to find an “appropriate” venue to stage their demonstration, noting that any rally must be held within the confines of the law.

“We have the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012. The organisers should choose an appropriate place. The authorities should also evaluate the reasons against the backdrop of public interest,” he said, adding that the authorities could take action if the organisers insist on holding the rally at Dataran Merdeka as planned.

On Saturday, police listed four non-governmental organisations (NGO) as the key groups allegedly planning to “cause trouble” tomorrow night.

They are Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), Solidarity Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), PKR-backed group Jingga 13 and youth group Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM).

On Friday, however, Mohamed Bukhairy Sofian, chairman of student movement SMM, reportedly said that its planned gathering at Dataran Merdeka on New Year’s Eve is to protest against the rising cost of living, and not to overthrow the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Anti-price hike movement Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun) chairman Azan Safar had also clarified last week that the price hike protest is not linked to another planned gathering, which allegedly aims to oust the government.

On Christmas Eve, police arrested the leader of an anti-price hike movement over a planned rally at Dataran Merdeka on December 31 that allegedly aimed to overthrow the government.

On Thursday, the owner of a Facebook page was also picked up by the police for allegedly inciting the public to participate in demonstrations on December 31, to topple the government.

The mass protest was planned amid the various increases in the prices of goods and services, some of which have already taken place a few months ago, like the cutting of fuel and sugar subsidies, while other hikes are scheduled for next year, including electricity tariffs, assessment rates for KL properties, public transport charges and toll rates for major highways.