KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 ― The Communications and Multimedia Ministry pledged today to take the same action it took against websites promoting last month’s Bersih 4 rally if the police declare the September 16 “red shirts” rally illegal.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak added, however, that the authorities have yet to make any declaration on the coming rally organised to counter Bersih 4.

“We would monitor websites the same way we did during Bersih. But until today, there has not been a decision made by the police as I am informed that they (the organisers) were still seeking approval,” he told reporters after the soft launch of the Malaysia Cyber Games this morning.

“We will wait for an official request by the police for these matters,” he said.

“For us and the MCMC, if a demonstration is declared unlawful, we would undoubtedly take the necessary action on blogs and websites that promote an illegal rally,” Salleh added, referring to local Internet regulators, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

He said to his knowledge, the organisers of the September 16 event were looking for a different venue to hold its rally, and said the ministry was also monitoring it for possible seditious activity.

“One of our responsibilities it the matter of national security. Should there be any activity that divides the country, the necessary action must be taken,” he said.

The September 16 rally, organised by an unnamed group and alternatively called Himpunan Maruah Melayu or Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu, is ostensibly to counter the alleged Chinese domination of last month’s Bersih 4 rally for institutional reforms.

Posters of the rally have been incendiary, with one depicting a figure holding a keris, a Malay dagger, and the phrase “Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku” [I will die for this land].

Invitations and posters for the rally, with the organisers yet to be known, have been distributed on social media with messages for Malays to unite in solidarity against a varied cause, ranging from anti-DAP messages to anti-Bersih, asking participants to wear red to the rally.