KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — Sungai Besar Umno chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos called off the "Red Shirts” counter-rally this after, against one that is backed by Perikatan Nasional (PN) that is planned to be held in the capital city on Malaysia Day tomorrow.

In a statement, he said a counter-rally would only be held if the "Save Malaysia” rally organised by pro-Malay and Islamist groups happen in the Sogo shopping mall or Bukit Bintang.

"I was informed that the rally will be held in Kampung Baru.

"Therefore, the Red Shirt Movement will not be involved in gathering in the same place,” he said.

He explained that since Bukit Bintang and Sogo are hotspots for foreign tourists, a gathering by PN's allies there would affect many traders.

In 2015's Malaysia Day, Jamal had organised thousands of "Red Shirt” protesters in a racially-charged pro-Malay rally.

The year after that, hundreds of "Red Shirts” held a counter-rally against electoral watchdog Bersih's pro-democracy protests.

The "Save Malaysia” event is led by the Islamist coalition Ummah and its allied student group Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia, and also includes pro-Malay group Perkasa.

It has now been joined by PN political parties — PAS, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Gerakan — and also Parti Pejuang Tanahair.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said police had rejected the application because the organisers had left out details such as their names and the location of the rally.

But in a news conference this afternoon, the organisers insisted that the police has yet to formally inform them that they cannot hold the rally, which they also confirmed will be held in Kampung Baru.