TASEK GELUGOR: The opposition's move to hold a gathering as a medium to voice out their demands should not become a normal practice as it can bring about negative impact to various quarters, said Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Commenting on the Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, the former prime minister said not all people were keen on supporting such a move and the opposition should not encourage the public to participate.

"They (opposition) have done this too many times and every time, the crowd was not as large as they had hoped. There's no need to do this again. It only brings about negative impact.

"Even traders and business owners affected by the gathering have made it clear that they cannot support such move anymore," he told reporters after opening the 14th anniversary celebration of Seni Silat Gayung Fatani Association of Malaysia here.

Abdullah said instead of resorting to holding a gathering, the opposition could use other medium to voice out their demands, including by handing over a memorandum to the government.

If it is really necessary for them to hold a gathering, they should hold it at an approved location and to ensure that the gathering is peaceful, he added.

In KELANTAN, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed described the gathering as a risky approach which could tarnish the image of the country in the eyes of the world, besides damaging the future economic climate.

"We are a peaceful nation and the government has also resolved many issues, especially concerning the general election through the Election Commission," he told reporters after chairing the Kelantan Umno liaison committee meeting.

Related Stories:
Police and organisers pledge to ensure a smooth rally
Organisers agree to 27 police conditions
KL traffic chief: Some roads closed to smoothen traffic flow
Live coverage: Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat
Mat Sabu: Rally will go on at Stadium Merdeka, not Bukit Jalil
Police not deploying FRU for rally at Stadium Merdeka
Rally organisers get nod to use stadium

• IHH Healthcare earnings up 3.6% to RM127.27m
• Petronas Dagangan Q1 earnings down 3.7% to RM237m
• Japan's tumble drags key regional, European markets lower (Update)
• KUB in JV with Singapore's Hiap Seng for Petronas project
• TDM to plant 5,000ha of new trees every year in Kalimantan
• KLCI falls to low of 1,765, rattled by Japan, HK
• Japan stocks crash on volatile bonds, weak China data; Nikkei ends down 7.3%
• MISC posts RM300m net profit in Q1, sees challenging year ahead (Update)
• KL Kepong slips to low of RM21.36 as quarterly profit drops
• Maybank's Q1 earnings up 11.8% to RM1.506b (Update)
• Lafarge Cement positive on markets, mulls expanding capacity
• Dayang Enterprise awards RM705m contract to Perdana Petroleum
• KLCI pauses, Japan, Hong Kong key indices slide (Update)
• ECM Libra plans to exit PN17 by year-end
• China HSBC flash PMI hits 7-mth low, fans growth fears

• Ranger, militant killed in Thai south shootout
• Japan man, 80, scales Everest, sets record
• Philippines vows to defend territory against China
• S. Korean girl killed by suicide jumper
• Ecuador warns satellite could hit rocket remains
• Short-story writer Davis wins Booker International Prize
• Two babies among US tornado victims
• Anti-Islamist protests flare following London attack
• 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack (Updated)

• Rugby: Former All Black coach Henry on misconduct charge
• Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
• Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
• Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
• Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
• Results worldwide
• Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
• Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
• Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
• Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
• National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
• Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
• Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
• Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
• Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement

• Please wait.

• Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
• Transport Ministry reveals new FT registration plate to start with W1A
• Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim, Tamrin Ghafar to spend the night in lockup (Update)
• In China, food scares put Mao's self-sufficiency goal at risk
• What comes after WYY?
• Verdict ends three years of restlessness for family, says Sosilawati's daughter
• All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
• Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers
• Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley
• Ahmad Zahid: Government will take action on foreigners who abuse student visas