KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Umno leader Datuk Jamal Md Yunos who was detained by the police yesterday over his riot warning, may be released later this evening, an aide said.

According to Malaysiakini, Jamal's secretary Duranny Izam said the Sungai Besar Umno division chief is still at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters where he was taken to last night after his arrest in Ampang Jaya.

“He is still in Dang Wangi now. We're hoping he'll be released by 8pm, but he should be out around 6pm,” Duranny was quoted saying.

Yesterday, police confirmed that Jamal, a spokesman for the #Merah169 rally on September 16, was arrested for warning earlier this week of a possible riot at Petaling Street today.

KL CID chief Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad told Malay Mail Online that Jamal was arrested at the Ampang Jaya district police headquarters under Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), and was subsequently transferred to Dang Wangi station.

Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows for an arrest without warrant to prevent “seizable offences.”

Jamal, who is president of the Coalition of Malay NGOs that organised the Himpunan Maruah Melayu (Malay Dignity Rally) version of #Merah169, had on Wednesday said that authorities’ failure to take action on Petaling Street traders allegedly selling fake goods will inevitably force “red shirt” protesters to return there this Saturday and possibly “riot.”

Following public backlash against his “warning,” Jamal sent a statement yesterday to clarify his remark and denied he was organising the purported gathering today.

During the September 16 #Merah169 rally, protesters tried to breach a police barricade blocking off entry into Petaling Street, in a bid to reach the area known as “Chinatown” that Jamal later claimed was Chinese dominated and prejudicial against Malays.

The incident forced the police to use water cannons to disperse the crowd that lingered on despite the use of force.

The protesters dispersed only when Jamal came and promised them that he would press the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to take action against Petaling Street traders for selling counterfeits and, according to him, pornographic material.