KUALA LUMPUR - Heavy police presence around the iconic Petronas Twin Tower here forced a peaceful protest against oil hike to deviate from its original route to avoid potential difficulties with the authorities.
Some 10,000 protestors instead chose to march peacefully through the less well off part of the city where the effect of the oil hikes would be much felt by most of its people.
Protestors also vowed to return to the streets July 5, and be part of another broad-based movement against the oil hikes and is projected to attract some 1 million participations.
The march started at a mosque in Kampung Baru after the Friday prayers and were forced to go to Chow Kit Road instead of towards the Petronas Twin Tower, and later held a half an hour sit in at a shopping complex on the Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
They later marched to the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) headquarters on Raja Laut road before dispersing peacefully.
PAS vice president Mohamad Sabu told foreign media staff covering the event that the government must do more for the welfare of the people as well as to improve public transportation.
"They must announce more (action)…we are not satisfied (with fewer foreign trips and less entertainment allowance for ministers)," he said after the end of the sit in near the Sogo shopping complex.
Asked whether the oil hike would lead to the fall of the government, Mohamad said: "Lead to the fall of government? This government is definitely going to fall".
Asked when the ruling government is going to change, Mohamad said: "In the coming general election, or before that".
People's Justice Party (KeADILan) youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mat Akin told the English Section a million signatures was the target by Geramm – a coalition against oil hike - from the people opposing the hike.
Asked why they deviated the course for the June 13 protest Shamsul said: "I think because of the heavy police presence in the KLCC area, so we chose the second route".
Malaysians capable of peaceful protest
PAS youth chief Salahudin Ayub told a press conference at the PAS headquarters that the course deviation was necessary considering the heavy presence of the police in the KLCC area.
"We are happy that we have a peaceful march," he said. He said the march had proven that in the absence of any provocation from the authorities, Malaysians could have a peaceful rally.
"This is also a clear signal for the government to revert its oil prices (to its original pricing)," he said.
PAS Titiwangsa parliamentary member Dr Lo' Lo' Ghazali said the people's protest have proven successful recently when an increase in parking rates were later abandoned. Kampung Baru is located in the Titiwangsa constituency.
"We need to exert similar pressure on the government (on the issue of oil hike)," she said.
Others present during the protest include PAS women chief Nuridah Salleh, deputy youth chief Nasruddin Hassan and think tank director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Pakatan Rakyat coalition leaders have contended that Malaysia as a net exporter of oil could maintain its subsidy despite rising global prices or even lower the price of oil for domestic users.
Pakatan Rakyat coalition comprises of PAS, KeADILan and the Democratic Action Party currently hold 82 out of the 222 seats in parliament.- Saadon Aksah/ES
Harakah Daily
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