They were young and old, male and female, participants who came from out station. We salute them for their fortitude, for the sacrifice, for their efforts. Shame on us KLites, I stand humbled by their initiative and gumption to come over from Kelantan and Perak.
Fellow KLites they are walking right now for you and me, from Masjid Jamek, Kampung Baru after the Friday Prayers, they held banners up. I could be mistaken, but I think Nik Nazmi, Seri Setia State Assemblyman was at the mike for a while. Their numbers could be two to three thousand and more. Unit Amal guys showed their professionalism and efficiency in marshalling the crowds and the public address system.
They spoke of their despair at the rising cost and how it affects the common man. Thousands assembled at the intersection of Odeon and Sogo, at 2.30pm and voiced their disapproval at what possibly is the biggest petrol price hike, the world over, dealt out by our ruling government. Their anxiety and worry at how to maintain their families on megre monthly incomes, showed on their concerned faces. They ended with fervent prayers for the nation and continued to press on further with shouts of Allahu Akhbar. KL Bystanders came in bravely, joined them in solidarity, all races, stood shoulder to shoulder wondering how else to make the Nation’s leaders hear their cries.
Really if the leaders were truly committed to the Rakyat were honest and not wasteful, the Rakyat would not have given vent to this much of anger. All those Billions wasted on Mega Projects, in wasteful expenditure in keeping a bloated and sluggish bureaucracy to work as a mere vote bank for the ruling party to remain in control.
The token 10% cut in entertainment, is a mere drop in the ocean, a pittance infact and does not even reflect the sincerity of the Federal Government. Christians know that their pledge or tithe to the Church is a mandatory 10% good times or bad. So what’s the big deal in giving up 10% of entertainment allowance, cut down all allowances by 50%. Give up your overseas holidays, start using a bicycle not for publicity for your daily commute, instead of huge petrol guzzling chauffeur driven SUVs – we tell our leaders, change your life styles, ours is already at rock bottom.
Then again, with this Petrol hike, we the common man, cannot even resort to the public transport, which is in a most deplorable state. Ask me a Mom of two, I resisted owning my own car, but the state of the cockroach infested, overcrowded, and never on time Metrobus, made me give up my good intensions. I get home an hour and half earlier now, and its precious time with my school going kids, ofcourse I’m paying dearly for the petrol hike like you all.
But then this is not about you, me or our leaders, lets not steal the thunder of the Petrol Hike protestors who right now are on the way to KLCC. It’s about the common man – the Rakyat, who have sacrificed that our voice may be heard.
Suara Rakyat!!!!
Makal Sakthi!!!
Peoples Power !!!
excerpts from Lim Kit Siang
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