Police have set up roadblocks at major traffic arteries throughout the Klang Valley towards Kuala Lumpur ahead of two mass rallies planned for tomorrow.

Traffic is at a crawl in several locations as major roads spanning several lanes have been reduced to just one lane.

There are two roadblocks within the Petaling Jaya portion of Federal Highway and one along Jalan Pahang near Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Also police are keeping a lookout for protesters being bussed in from outside of the city at the Jalan Duta toll.

On Jalan Sungai Besi, roadblocks have been set up to screen vehicles entering Jalan Istana - the focal point of the rallies tomorrow.

In all the police have mounted roadblocks in 11 places, including in Jalan Loke Yew and Jalan Kepong.

Two sets of protesters - one against the Internal Security Act while the other in support - are determined to hold their respective rallies tomorrow.

The Abolish ISA Movement (GMI by its Malay abbreviation) and Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris) have separately said that they would go ahead with their gatherings despite stern police warnings.

The roadblocks are a repeat of the Bersih and Hindraf rallies in late 2007 when police had mounted similar exercises in an apparent effort to deter the public from attending the events.

Pewaris avoids National Mosque

In another development, Pewaris has decided not to gather at the National Mosque as initially planned, but will still congregate at Padang Merbok (near Bank Negara) and at Central Market.

Pewaris deputy chair Rahimuddin Md Harun said the decision was made during a meeting last night after consultations with several religious leaders.

Rahimuddin said the decision was made to preserve the sanctity of the National Mosque.

"We also do not want to disturbed those who wish to perform their religious duties," he told Malaysiakini .

Asked if the decision was made to avoid a clash with the GMI crowd, who is also gathering at the National Mosque, Rahimuddin replied:

"We want to ensure peace. Those who are gathering there are suppose to be silat practitioners, they have no problems if there is a clash. What is more important is to preserve the sanctity of the mosque," he said.

Pewaris has repeatedly said it will call off the rally if their GMI counterparts do the same. Both groups are now planning to rally simultaneously at 2pm.

Other than the National Mosque, GMI crowd will be gathering at the Sogo shopping complex on Jalan Raja Laut and the Masjid Jamek vicinity before proceeding to the palace.

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