Fuel hikes: The people must awaken!

KUALA LUMPUR - The people must collectively voice out their displeasure and show their protest on the BN-led government which had raised fuel prices yesterday as it is going to cause hardship and increase the already burgeoning costs of living.
Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) treasurer, Dr Hatta Ramli said the show of protest must be made immediately as the increase had shocked everyone and no one expected the government to be so cruel as to make a decision without regard of the people's welfare.

Dr Hatta who is also the coordinator for Protest Against Fuel Increases (Protes) said the committee will convene this morning to discuss what steps to be taken next to 'awaken' the government and induce it to lower the prices back to its original level.

"If the government can make unilateral decisions without regard of the people's suffering, then the people can also show their power in a show of protest. As the decision to increase and lower the prices is in the hands of the government, then the people must hold widespread protests.

"If the prime minister can 'beg' the people to not demonstrate, the people can do the opposite to 'beg' the government to lower its fuel prices," he said when contacted this morning.

He said that the government decision to peg the fuel prices to world market prices mirrored similar acts by other countries with a major difference, the salary of the people of those countries affected were very much higher and would not burden its people unlike Malaysia.

The increase will also badly affect the lower income groups and those who do not own vehicles as it will cause the price of sundries to rise as well.

Harakah daily
05/06/08