The centre is housed at Puduraya (now called Pudu Sentral), the former outstation bus terminal close to Jalan Tun Perak and the Petaling Street area, both popular gathering spots for political demonstrations.

The Immigration Department said yesterday that the building would be closed to ensure the safety of the public and its staff as well as to avoid the inconvenience caused by road closures.

Passport counters would be open as usual tomorrow.

The director-general of the Special Affairs Department, Mohd Puad Zarkashi, said rival organisations have also threatened to converge on Dataran Merdeka, and police have ordered a lockdown of the city centre.

Police have said the gatherings are illegal as no proper approval was obtained from Kuala Lumpur City Hall.