Cover image via The Malaysian Insider
DPM: Banners from "red shirts" rally not racist, they were edited and taken from elsewhere
14 SEPT: UMNO neither agrees nor disagrees with the racially stoked 'red shirts' rally
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak heavily criticised the Bersih 2.0 movement for holding Bersih 4.0 rally on 29 and 30 August. Words such as **'shallow', 'poor in patriotic spirit', and 'lack of love for the country'** was liberally used to criticise all Bersih supporters.
The longest ruling party of Malaysia to date, Barisan Nasional has always been **highly critical against all forms of street demonstration.**
In spite of that, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was the quickest of all UMNO members to respond positively to the 'red shirts' rally
Similarly, UMNO Youth chairman Khairy Jamaluddin jumped into the band wagon and agreed with Najib's opinion, taking it as the party's collective view
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the very same person that banned all things yellow and insisted that Bersih 4.0 is illegal, has openly expressed his support for the red shirts street rally
Before the 'red shirts' rally was legalised, a letter calling for a meeting prior to the rally, from UMNO to its branches nationwide started circulating
The letter from Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusof directing representatives from state liaison committees to attend meeting on September 4 to discuss arrangements for the 'red shirt' rally, as sighted by The Malaysian Insider
Image via The Malaysian Insider
However, Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauh Jusoh refuted the claims and clarified that the meeting was only called in preparation for the 'red shirts' rally
While UMNO's roots are clearly planted deep in the 'red shirts' protest, UMNO Melaka on the other hand, rejected the protest to be held on Malaysia Day
Just hours after promising that the Malaysia Day rally will be peaceful, its organiser, National Silat Federation leader Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam claimed that he will not be responsible for any unprecedented incidents that might occur during the rally
Upholding Malay dignity or uniting Malaysians?
With objectives carved to uphold Malay dignity and fiery speeches about the importance of preserving Malays' position in politics, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor out of the blue claimed that the rally is for everyone that loves the country
Contradicting all talk of peace and unity for Malaysians, Kota Bharu UMNO division has 'protested' against Bersih 4 by burning effigies of DAP leaders
Putting aside his personal preferences, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today, declared the 'red shirts' rally or currently known as 'Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu' as legal
UMNO's sentiments about street demonstrations are a common knowledge
Our ruling government has made it very clear that they have some pretty contrasting thoughts when it comes to the red shirt rally to be held on Malaysia Day this week.
Started by Sungai Besar Umno divisional leader Jamal Md Yunos, the [anti-Bersih](http://says.com/my/news/himpunan-maruah-melayu-to-reunite-malays) movement has managed to garner some engaging responses from UMNO premiers.
