KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Police are expecting 2,000 buses to ferry participants from all over the nation to the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu rally at Padang Merbok today.
City traffic chief ACP Nadzri Hussein said police are expecting at least 90,000 participants, with organisers told to strictly follow the pick-up and drop-off routes as set by his team.
“We have conveyed the details of the pick-up and drop-off zones to the organisers. They have been told to follow the routes to ensure traffic flow in and out of the city is smooth.”
“Police will also be in contact with radio stations to disseminate information to road users who are in the city or are planning to go into the vicinity of the city to use alternative routes to their destinations.”
He said passengers are expected to be dropped off at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Masjid Negara and Padang Merbok.
“The participants will then be picked up from the respective zones, including Jalan Raja Laut for the northern zone, Jalan Sultan Salahudin for the eastern zone, Jalan Kuching for southern zone and Jalan Kinabalu for the western zone.
“Bus drivers have been given strict instructions to park outside the city, including at parking lots in Stadium Bukit Jalil, Masjid Wilayah, Bank Negara and Jalan Sultan Salahuddin.
Nadzri said 430 officers will be stationed at various parts of the city as early as 3am.
“Our full force of 430 officers will be manning the affected roads and areas from 6am onwards to ensure the flow of vehicles and people is managed accordingly.”
Police expect the crowd to begin gathering as early as noon, with Masjid Wilayah being a transit station for rally participants.
“We also expect the crowd to gather at Masjid Wilayah, Jalan Conlay and PWTC before marching to Padang Merbok at 2pm.”
Nadzri said the roads affected by the rally included Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Raja, Jalan Conlay, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Kinabalu, Jalan Dato Onn, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Pudu/Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Munsyi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi, Bulatan Sultan Mohammed, Jalan Damansara, Bulatan Hishamuddin, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Leboh Ampang/Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Sultan Ismail/Jalan Ampang.
“These roads will be manned by officers and diversions will be made from the roads affected.
“We will see if it is necessary to close roads fully,” he said.
Nadzri urged participants to obey traffic rules and park in designated parking lots.
“I advise participants to use public transportation to come into the city and always be mindful of the safety of others while on the road.”
