Red Shirts rally at Malaysiakini office

PETALING JAYA: A crowd of Red Shirt protesters have gathered near the entrance of the Malaysiakini office off Jalan Tandang here.

However, their way is blocked by a strong police presence.

Protesters were heard shouting "Hidup Merah" and "Tutup Malaysiakini".

Some even gave mini speeches, reiterating the aim of the protest while waiting for their leader, Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos, who was scheduled to arrive at 3pm.

The situation remains peaceful.

The Red Shirts had gathered outside Malaysiakini's office on Thursday, with Jamal demanding an explanation by noon Saturday on reports that the news portal receives funding from the Open Society Foundations (OSF) founded by American hedge fund billionaire George Soros.

"Otherwise, we will have a huge protest here and we will ensure that a part of this building will fall," Jamal had said, adding that everyone was free to interpret the statement.

Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan and chief executive officer Premesh Chandran denied that the funding was provided with the aim of toppling the Government.

On Friday, the news portal's representatives lodged a police report over the threat by Jamal to hold a second protest outside its office.