KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 - A coalition against price hike here is planning an "ultimate" protest against government move to increase electricity tariffs and fuel price by nearly 40 percent.
The protest is scheduled to be held at 3pm on July 12 near the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. The coalition is targeting an attendance of about 100,000 participants at the protest.
Protes coordinator Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli said the government move came as a "shock" and was highly regrettable considering the fact that the deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had promised no fuel hikes would take place this year during the election campaign prior to the March 8 general election.
Mohd Hatta who is also Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) treasurer and parliamentary member for Kuala Krai said the government move ignored the wish of voters who had clearly sent a protest signal against government policies in the March 8 general election.
In a press conference held at PAS headquarters June 5, Mohd Hatta said the government should not have ignored the alternative views regarding the hike and he contended that the government is still in a position to provide cheaper fuel to the public.
He demanded that the hike be scrapped, else the coalition would go ahead with the planned mega protest. In the meantime he encouraged small and localized protests to be held nationwide. One such protest is scheduled to be held in Seremban on June 14.
Sporadic protests had also taken place June 5 and at least one small protest is scheduled to take place today.
Other Protes members present at the press conference include People Justice Party (KeADILan) supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director Yap Swee Seng, Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) pro-tem secretary general S. Arutchelvan and Jerit representative Y. Kohila.
Not an attempt to be popular, says Abdullah
The Government announced yesterday an increase in petrol and diesel prices, stating that it can no longer continue to subsidise fuel.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the new prices were still at a 30-sen per litre discount from market prices.
He said the Government would save RM13.7bil through the restructuring. From the savings, he said RM4bil would go to the National Food Supply Guarantee Policy, RM1.5bil for subsidising cooking oil and RM400mil to subsidise rice imports to make the price uniform in peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
The Government would also spend RM200mil on flour subsidy, RM100mil on bread subsidy and RM7.5bil was meant for contributions to the subsidies for petrol, diesel and gas.
On top of that, Abdullah said, the Government would have to fork out RM5bil to pay to owners of cars and motorcycles eligible for rebates introduced under the restructuring of subsidy package.
"Our effort is certainly not an attempt to be popular but we try our best to help the people. We cannot satisfy everyone," Abdullah was quoted as saying by an English daily.
Abdullah said demand for public transport would go up with the rise in fuel prices and the Government was currently addressing the need to improve services.
Petrol and diesel would now be priced at RM2.70 and RM2.58 respectively compared to previous price of RM1.92 and RM1.58.
For electricity, households using 200kWh and below every month will not be affected. This covers 59% of households in Peninsular Malaysia with a monthly bill under RM43.60.
However commercial and industrial users will face 26 percent increase with small retail and business outlets consuming under 200kWh per month will face 18 percent increase.- Saadon Aksah/ES
Harakah Daily
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