Civil servants have been reminded to stay away from the rallies planned for Saturday in Kuala Lumpur or face the risk of disciplinary action.

The warning was issued by the chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa who said the disciplinary action included a pay cut or sacking, depending on the level of participation.

Bersih, a movement urging electoral reform, has planned a rally for Saturday at Dataran Merdeka while another movement dubbed 'red-shirts' has threatened to hold a counter-rally at the same venue on the same day.

Ali said the Public Services Department would not hesitate to act against civil servants who are captured in photographs of the rallies published by the media.

"The rally leaders from among the civil servants will be dealt with differently from the mere participants. Action will be taken based on the photographs and complaints," he said to reporters after opening the Puspanita fourth annual meeting in Putrajaya today.

- Bernama