LIVE | Comrades and foes will cast aside their differences today to fight for a common cause in the country's first major protest of 2016.

Thousands are expected to rally against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) in downtown Kuala Lumpur, three days before Parliament debates on ratifying the pact.

Malaysiakini brings you live updates from the ground.

Crowd begins to disperse

4.55pm - Padang Merbok - PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man calls on the National Fatwa Council and muftis to voice out against the TPPA.

He warns that any MP who doesn't vote against the TPPA will be taken down in the next elections.

His speech is followed with the crowd singing the Negaraku.

PAS vice president Idris Ahmad then leads the crowd in prayer for the TPPA to be rejected in Parliament.

"Ya Allah, open the hearts of the country's leaders so that they may reject the TPPA," he says.

The remaining crowd is told to pick up any litter, and disperse peacefully.

Tuan Ibrahim tells journalists the final crowd is 25,000.

Malaysiakini estimates the peak crowd to be over 4,500 while Dang Wangi district police chief Zainol Samah puts the figure at between 5,000 to 7,000.

4.20pm - Padang Merbok - The sky turns dark as a storm appears to be approaching. Speeches can still be heard but people have started leaving.

Shah from Sungai Petani, Kedah, says he's tried and wants to make an early move back to Masjid Negara.

"They'll only finish at 5pm," he says.

There is no sign that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad will turn up, as claimed by Perkasa.

4.05pm - Padang Merbok - PAS youth chief Nik Abduh Nik Aziz takes the stage to loud cheers, saying that TPPA will bring the country to the edge of ruin and destroy the rakyat's future.

"Thank you my friends and the youths who are here. Do we want our wellbeing tied to the TPPA?

"Do you think that the US will give us protection? We are being restrained by the US!" he says.

Meanwhile, PAS women's wing chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh calls Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak "deaf" for not listening to the rakyat's plea against TPPA.

3.55pm - Dataran Merdeka - As promised, the crowd begins to disperse before the 4pm deadline given by the cops.

PSM secretary-general A Sivarajan tells Malaysiakini that they are not heading to Padang Merbok and that they are done for the day.

"We gave the crowd a choice. For those who want to go to Padang Merbok, they can go.

"Today is a day of action, and anybody can take action in whatever ways they want," he says.

Most of the crowd leave, including Amanah and PSM members, back towards the way they came, through Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

About 150 stragglers remain on the sidewalks at the intersection of Jalan Parlimen and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, though they are not doing anything other than milling about.

Perkasa claims Dr M may turn up

3.40pm - Padang Merbok - Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali says that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad may make an appearance, to the roars of approval from the crowd.

Ibrahim also says that Perkasa rejects TPPA since the start.

"When I see the PM playing golf in Hawaii with the US president (Barack Obama), I became more suspicious. When he (Obama) came to Malaysia, my suspicions piqued too.

"This is part of the strategy of the US to put pressure on us," he says.

Ibrahim said that Perkasa rejects TPPA not based on emotions alone but also based on its informed research and the TPPA roundtable which was held.

"We reject TPPA without political bent; it is only for the sake of the country. There is no (other) agenda.

"We find that Mahathir is also firmly against TPPA to safeguard our national sovereignty from colonisation," he says.

Ibrahim calls upon the government to form an independent royal commission to study TPPA further.

"This is in the interest of transparency; this is what Perkasa proposes" adds Ibrahim.

PKR says 'Reject colonisation', PAS members say 'Reject Amanah'

3.30pm: All groups from the five gathering points have now arrived either at Padang Merbok or Dataran Merdeka, with a total crowd of around 3,500.

The crowd at Padang Merbok is estimated to be at around 3,000. Speeches are taking place.

However, a small group of 500 are insistent on staying put at Dataran Merdeka, which police have cordoned off.

3.15pm - Padang Merbok: PKR vice-president Tian Chua says they are gathered today to reject a new form of colonisation.

"We are told that medicine prices will rise, the people would lose jobs, and the economy would shrink.

"Those who support the TPPA say it will increase exports, and grow the economy and investment.

"But the most important issue before us is the country's sovereignty.

"Signing TPPA will pawn off the rights of the rakyat, race and country; that is the central issue," says Chua.

If the country is pawned off, he says, we will never be able to recover our sovereignty and that is why they are protesting - to protect the nation's sovereignty.

However, while he speaks, some participants at the edge of the field are chanting against the PAS splinter party Amanah.

They counter Chua's shouts of " Tolak (reject), tolak, tolak colonisation," with, " Tolak, tolak, tolak Amanah."

After Chua, the announcer heralds the arrival of PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, to loud cheers from the crowd.

PSM crowd digs in at Dataran

3pm - Padang Merbok: The crowd continues to grow.

A vast majority are wearing PAS colours, and are spread out across the field seeking shade under the trees.

Mohamad from Kok Lanas PAS branch in Kelantan says he's not too happy with the final destination of the rally.

"We should be at Dataran Merdeka," he tells Malaysiakini .

Despite the small turnout and the location, he remains optimistic that the protest may convince Parliament to reject the TPPA.

2.50pm - Jalan Parlimen: Unlike the rest of the protesters, the crowd coming from Maju Junction stops in front of Dataran Merdeka and refuses to head to Padang Merbok.

Arutchelvan from PSM announces this and leads the crowd, which has grown to over 500, into Jalan Parlimen where they remain.

A smaller group sits down on the road and are now blocking traffic coming towards Dataran Merdeka.

Police are now redirecting traffic into Jalan Raja Laut, while trying to negotiate with the protesters about the disruption to traffic.

"I think I'd rather stay here," one of the protesters, Rustam Sani, tells Malaysiakini .

PSM's Khalid Ismath informs the crowd that after negotiations, the police will allow them to remain here until 4pm.

Padang Merbok crowd swells to 2,500

2.40pm - The total crowd so far is estimated at around 2,500.

Padang Merbok - 500

Masjid Negara - 1,500

Sogo - 300

Masjid India - 200

Most of the crowd from Masjid Jamek and Sogo have already arrived at Padang Merbok.

The crowd from Maju Junction is now at Sogo while the crowd from Masjid Negara is starting to proceed to Padang Merbok.

Bersih: Fix broken gov't first before TPPA

2.30pm - Padang Merbok: The field is coming alive with activity as NGO leaders begin to speak.

Bersih chair Maria Chin Abdullah starts off her speech with "Bantah, Bantah! Bantah TPPA!"

She says Bersih rejects the TPPA as it will violate the rights of Malaysians.

"We want the government to repair the institutions, policies, and the economy before we talk about TPPA," says Maria.

She says Bersih also rejects TPPA as it will weaken the Parliament and limit its ability to enact laws.

"What is more important is for the government to resolve the problem of police abuses, misappropriation of 1MDB funds, and others, before we talk about TPPA."

Thirdly, she says the NGO coalition rejects the trade pact as it lacks transparency.

"Bersih calls on all parliamentarians to reject TPPA on January 26, when it is tabled," shouts Maria.

Rally participants from all gathering points is converging on Padang Merbok.

The weather is searing hot but many participants are braving the heat to hear the leaders speak at the main stage, although some are seeking the shelter under the trees that line the field.

Most participants are clad in anti-TPPA green.

Police officers are taking up positions around the field.

Crowds told to go Padang Merbok

2.30pm - Jalan Parlimen: Unit Amal steers the marchers onto Jalan Tangsi and Jalan Parlimen, ensuring that they stay clear of Dataran Merdeka.

Some of the protesters express confusion when they overhear that they're going to Padang Merbok.

"Maybe we'll go to Dataran Merdeka after this," a man who only wishes to be identified as Ismail says.

Others, like Saad from Perlis, say they have no qualms going to Padang Merbok.

The protesters shout "Hancur TPPA" as they march.

Mat Sabu: Foreign capitalists will overrun us

2.20pm - Sogo: The crowd from Maju Junction converges with the crowd at Sogo, where they stopped to listen to several speeches from leaders present.

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu urges the crowd to reject corruption, capitalists, and TPPA.

He says the Malaysian economy is already monopolised by local capitalists.

With the TPPA, he explains it will only pave way for American capitalists to saturate the Malaysian economy.

"Even the small businesses in America are against the TPPA because they also know they will suffer if it goes through," he says in his speech.

PSM's Sungai Siput MP Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj says that as long as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak remains in power, the TPPA will surely be pushed through.

"If we don't want TPPA, we have to get rid of Najib," he thunders.

Amanah's Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin also pledges that Pakatan Harapan will continue to oppose the TPPA, even in Parliament.

2:15pm - Padang Merbok: Roughly 100 from Masjid Jamek are moving to Padang Merbok in a relaxed manner, arriving at 2.15pm.

An announcer on a makeshift stage on board a lorry says participants are converging here.

Approximately 200 are gathered at the open field just west of the Dataran.

2pm - Masjid Jamek: After prayers, the crowd is asked to start moving towards Padang Merbok.

PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad is spotted here.

One participant, Mohammad Abdullah, 63, from Batu Burok, Terengganu, says he does not understand what the trade pact is all about.

"I don't know what that TPPA is nor understand it. I am here just following those who have come," he tells Malaysiakini .

Crowds start moving to rally venue

1.55pm - Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman: The group that has swelled to about 300 outside Maju Junction Mall starts to walk towards Dataran Merdeka.

"Reject TPPA" and "Long live the rakyat" are among the calls from the crowd led by PSM activist Khalid Ismath.

The crowd, which includes HIV positive persons, obey the directions from the leadersin trying not to disrupt traffic along this road.

Traffic police are also present to direct vehicles.

Meanwhile, human rights NGO Suaram has deployed eight officers while the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has 10 officers on the ground to observe the protest today.

1.40PM - Masjid Negara: A big crowd in PAS green, appearing like grass in a field, converge at the mosque for noon prayers.

The crowd has more than doubled in size, with over 1,000 PAS supporters now present.

The crowd shouts " Allahhuakbar " after praying, but remains calm.

There are no special supplications condemning the TPPA.

PAS' Unit Amal maintains order

1.30pm - Masjid Jamek: 100 rally participants gather at the mosque courtyard; they are mostly PAS members.

Malaysiakini understands 30 PAS Unit Amal volunteers will handle crowd control and rally security.

One of the participants, Baharuddin Yusof, 51, from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, says he is actually unclear about TPPA.

He says the reason he is here today is to find out more about the trade pact.

"I want to understand a bit (about TPPA). I am here to hear what they have to say. We ask the government to explain it in detail," Baharuddin tells Malaysiakini .

Baharuddin claims there has been no effort to explain TPPA to the people in Kelantan.

"Up till now, I haven't heard (about it). But I think the BN people, whatever they do, is only for their own interests, their own fortune, and not for the rakyat at all.

"The rakyat suffer and are neglected, but the BN people live well," laments Baharuddin.

He wants the government to explain the TPPA to the rakyat with more transparency.

As of now, about 100 of the rally participants are observing noon prayers at the mosque.

1.30pm - Dataran Merdeka: Roughly 50 are gathered here including hawkers selling anti-TPPA gear, vuvuzelas, and drinks.

Police have cordoned off the Dataran with six-feet-high metal barricades and the usual road barricades at both ends of the square.

They have also closed off Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Parlimen to stop vehicles from entering the vicinity.

PAS' Unit Amal personnel in red are seen on duty, six of them stationed at the metal barricades.

The atmosphere is calm, with the occasional sound of vuvuzelas.

Homeless join protest too

1:25pm - Maju Junction Mall: About 100 are gathered for the protest today, mainly from medical patients' group Malaysian Treatment Access and Advocacy Group (MTAAG), PKKIM Ikhlas, PSM, and several from Amanah.

The protesters are holding up banners and signs rejecting the TPPA, such as "Call Parliament to reject TPPA" and "USA, hands off our medicine".

They are gearing up to head towards Dataran Merdeka after the zohor prayer, says PSM central committee member S Arutchelvan.

When asked if they will be heading to Dataran Merdeka or Padang Merbok, he says with a smile,

"(Dataran Merdeka) is the nearest point from here."

Police have insisted the rally take place not at the iconic square but at a more secluded field a short distance away.

A PKKIM Ikhlas representative Nor Akmar says the NGO has even managed to gather a few of the homeless to join the protest today.

"We don't want them to just come here for no reason, so we have briefed them about the TPPA and such," she says.

She adds most of them require medicines and increasing the prices of medicine would be a burden to these folks.

Nasrudin: 50,000 crowd expected

1.20PM - Jalan Kinabalu: The PAS crowd from Masjid Negara, estimated at 1,500 has begun to march.

Speaking to the media, PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan says he expects the total crowd when all groups converge to be at about 50,000.

He however does not know whether the crowd is headed to Dataran Merdeka or Padang Merbok.

A Unit Amal member helping to control traffic tells Malaysiakini that they are headed to Padang Merbok.

Roaring business ahead of protest

1pm - Masjid Negara: More than 400 people clad in PAS green are gathered at the National Mosque, gearing up for today's march.

Most are seeking refuge from the sweltering heat in the mosque, while others are loitering at the outer compound where an impromptu market has been set up.

Traders are selling Anti-TPPA T-shirts, scarves, and even herbal remedies.

Klang PAS member Arifin, 60, expects everything to be peaceful today.

"PAS people don't create trouble," he tells Malaysiakini .

However he says the protesters will not go to Padang Merbok as the police insist, and will stay at Dataran Merdeka, come what may.

Lockdown at Independence Square

12.40 - Dataran Merdeka: As the rally gears up to kick off, the police have blocked two entrance points to Dataran Merdeka from the Masjid Negara end.

12.30 - Kuala Lumpur: Unlikely bedfellows will convene this afternoon to protest the ratifying of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

Among the traditional foes expected to converge at Dataran Merdeka for the rally are ABIM, PAS, Amanah, Perkasa, Bersih, Isma, and PSM.

These groups do not see eye to eye, and their reasons for opposing the TPPA differ.

Groups like Perkasa and Isma fear the TPPA will erode Malay rights.

Others like PSM, Amanah, and Bersih say the TPPA will put locals at a disadvantage for various reasons, from labour rights to business regulations and medicine prices, all set to make life more difficult in these troubling economic times.

It will be interesting to see how these groups will cooperate for the rally, if at all.

Police have warned against gathering at Dataran Merdeka, insisting they rally at Padang Merbok instead, so a crackdown may be possible.