Protesters began arriving at different locations in KL early this morning in scores of busses, some carrying banners reading "Hidup Melayu" (Long-live Malays) and "Pertahan Kerajaan Pilihan Rakyat" (Defending the government of the people's choice).
They are heading to Padang Merbok where organisers are expected to address the crowd with speeches.
The protest is in direct opposition to last month’s Bersih 4 rally, which today's rally organisers claimed had insulted the integrity of the dominant Malay race.
Pekida president Jamaluddin Yusof earlier described the "red shirt" rally as a "jihad" and said 10,000 members from the Malay NGO will make their presence.
Jamaluddin had disregarded the red shirt dress code and instead wore a black vest with the word Pekida and his name emblazoned on the chest.
He assured that the group was not interested in provoking any violence, despite the racial sentiments of the rally.
"Pekida does not like fights. We are thinking about what outsiders think of the country and Pekida.
"We do not want to be seen as gangsters. We will be polite and respectful."
Police have declared that the rally is legal, but have said three areas – Bukit Bintang, Petaling Street and the area around Low Yat Plaza – are off-limits to the protesters.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said he will not stop Umno members from participating in the rally, but stopped short of endorsing the gathering.
The rally has come under fierce criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups, Umno Supreme Council members, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, as well as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former international trade and industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, both of whom were top Umno leaders until a decade ago.
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