KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Datuk Seri Nazir Razak today said he will not wear red on September 16, in apparent rejection of the controversial “Red Shirt” rally ostensibly to defend Malay honour on the day.

In a post on the Instagram photo-sharing site, the brother to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that he will instead spend Malaysia Day rejoicing over the country’s multicultural richness.

“On 16th September I will be celebrating diversity — racial, religious, cultural — that defines Malaysia. I won’t be wearing red,” the CIMB Group chairman wrote.

Set for next Wednesday, the rally alternately called Himpunan Maruah Melayu and Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu will be held in the city centre by Malay groups wearing red shirts to counter the purported Chinese domination of the Bersih 4 rally.

The event has raised concerns due to the racial overtones of its rallying call for attendees to defend Malay honour as well as previous warnings by Coalition of Malay NGOs president Datuk Jamal Md Yunos for non-Muslims to stay away.

Prime Minister and Umno president Najib previously said his party does not officially support the rally, but will not stop members from attending. This message was repeated by Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Despite the lack of official sanction, Umno is believed to be aiming to mobilise at least 180,000 members and supporters for the event.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim previously said the rally will not be permitted to proceed due to “security implications”.