KUALA LUMPUR, 4 JULY, 2011:  Umno Youth and Kelab Putra 1Malaysia today called off thir proposed "Patriot" rally in respecting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin's advice on Sunday.

Umno Youth vice-president Datuk Razali Ibrahim, who is also Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, said it was a unanimous decision following feedback from members of the two movements in the interest of preserving peace and harmony.

"I take the advice of His Majesty to preserve the sovereignty of the law and the Constitution. Our decision (to call off the rally) will be communicated to  "Patriot"'s members accordingly," he told a media conference at Parliament's lobby.

Yesterday, Istana Negara issued a special statement by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on an illegal assembly planned to be held in the federal capital by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (Bersih) on July 9 to call for electoral reform.

Umno Youth and Kelab Putra 1Malaysia had intended to organise their own rally to counter Bersih's.

Razali also said that 'Patriot' would be registered as an organisation to represent youth groups as another line of defence of the nation to face external threats.

Earlier, he had received a visit from the Federal Territory Bumiputera Hawkers and Shopkeepers Association at Parliament's lobby.  

At the same media conference, the association's president, Mithlan Samijoo said traders around Jalan Masjid India stood to suffer heavy losses if the planned illegal assembly went ahead, considering it is a weekend and with the Ramadhan month festive season coming up next month.  

"We have stocked up in anticipation of the Ramadhan and Aidilfitri such as clothings which we could only keep for three months as we have to buy the latest designs for sale," he said.

- Bernama