Shoppers at two of Kuala Lumpur's busiest shopping malls were today greeted by protestors against belt tightening measures introduced by the government such as the removal of various subsidies and the impending goods and services tax (GST).
At Mid Valley Megamall, about 100 people people managed to enter the premises this afternoon for a "freeze mob" - an act requiring participants to stay completely still for a certain duration - while holding protest paraphernalia.
However, they were chased from the venue by auxiliary police personnel, who also confiscated their props.
"They chased some of us around the mall to force us out. We went back outside. It did not end well as there were many obstacles. However, our objectives of the freeze mob were met," said Azan Safar, a spokesperson for the group.
Eventually, the group, which goes by the acronym Turun, resorted to holding placards at the roadside, urging the public to join their rally on Dec 31 at Dataran Merdeka to protest against rising cost of living.
"This is to show to the government that 2014 is a bad year for the people. This movement will not end on Dec 31. It will go on until the government hear our voices.
"We will be begging the government in order to compel them to lower the cost of living," he told the participants.
At Mid Valley Megamall, about 100 people people managed to enter the premises this afternoon for a "freeze mob" - an act requiring participants to stay completely still for a certain duration - while holding protest paraphernalia.However, they were chased from the venue by auxiliary police personnel, who also confiscated their props.
"They chased some of us around the mall to force us out. We went back outside. It did not end well as there were many obstacles. However, our objectives of the freeze mob were met," said Azan Safar, a spokesperson for the group.
Eventually, the group, which goes by the acronym Turun, resorted to holding placards at the roadside, urging the public to join their rally on Dec 31 at Dataran Merdeka to protest against rising cost of living."This is to show to the government that 2014 is a bad year for the people. This movement will not end on Dec 31. It will go on until the government hear our voices.
"We will be begging the government in order to compel them to lower the cost of living," he told the participants.
Even Astro prices are up
Across town at KL Sogo, a group known as Jingga 13 held a five-minute freeze mob of their own outside the iconic shopping complex while holding placards.
The placards contained messages in protest against the rise in the price of sugar, petrol, electricity, tolled roads, property assessment fees, public transport and subscription fees for satellite TV operators Astro.
About 40 participants were also seen handing leaflets to passer-bys. Police personnel present did not interfere with the proceedings, even when the group held a short march.
"This event is to create awareness among the people about the price hikes. The lower and the medium class people will be affected, especially the poor when come 2014.
"When they say 'Janji ditepati', but for us it is 'Janji di-chapati',” said Jingga 13 coordinator Fariz Musa told reporters.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's second term in office has been marked with a series of subsidy cuts, starting with an increase in petrol prices in September.
Subsequently, sugar subsidies were abolished and an increase in toll charges for highways, Kuala Lumpur property tax and electricity tariff is scheduled to increase next month.
The placards contained messages in protest against the rise in the price of sugar, petrol, electricity, tolled roads, property assessment fees, public transport and subscription fees for satellite TV operators Astro.
About 40 participants were also seen handing leaflets to passer-bys. Police personnel present did not interfere with the proceedings, even when the group held a short march.
"This event is to create awareness among the people about the price hikes. The lower and the medium class people will be affected, especially the poor when come 2014."When they say 'Janji ditepati', but for us it is 'Janji di-chapati',” said Jingga 13 coordinator Fariz Musa told reporters.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's second term in office has been marked with a series of subsidy cuts, starting with an increase in petrol prices in September.
Subsequently, sugar subsidies were abolished and an increase in toll charges for highways, Kuala Lumpur property tax and electricity tariff is scheduled to increase next month.
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