A planned protest against the increasing fuel prices in Kuala Lumpur has been cancelled.
The organiser, Federal Territories Amanah Youth vice-chief Nik Abdul Razak Nik Md Ridzuan, said this was due to “unavoidable technical reasons” and apologised for the last-minute cancellation.
However, he said the nationwide protest will proceed as scheduled in other parts of Malaysia.
In Penang however, the state’s Amanah youth wing announced on its Facebook page that its protest in Bayan Baru has been postponed. This is due to the passing of the sultan of the neighbouring Kedah.
In Kota Bharu, some 30 protesters led by Kelantan Amanah Youth chief Hazmi Hassan have gathered at Persimpangan Telipot. A corresponding number of police personnel were also present.
The protestors held up placards towards passing vehicles while singing, “Thank you BN government!” in Malay.
Meanwhile, through a live stream on Perak Amanah Youth’s Facebook page, about 20 people are seen in Ipoh holding up placards that read “Reduce fuel prices” and “Don’t burden the people”.
One placard encouraged passing vehicles to think to show support for the cause, and the group cheered whenever a honk is sounded.
In Kuala Lumpur, six reporters, photographers, and camera operators waited for about 20 minutes past the scheduled starting time of 5pm before they were told that the event had been cancelled.
“We take full responsibility for this cancellation and apologise for the media’s time and commitment that have been wasted due to our weakness,” Nik Abdul Razak said in a statement today.
Apart from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu, Bayan Baru, and Ipoh, similar protests had also been planned for Shah Alam, Melaka Central, Seremban, Kuala Terengganu, Pantai Sepat (near Kuantan), Batu Pahat, Tampoi, and Sandakan.
The total comes to 12 locations in 11 states and federal territories. Incidentally, no protest had been planned in Kedah, where the state’s sultan had passed away just hours before the planned protest.
Amanah vice chief Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin had called for the protest on Sept 10, saying that the fuel price hikes had further burdened the people who are already struggling with shrinking disposable incomes due to GST.
The fuel prices, which are announced each Wednesday, had been steadily increasing since June 29, except for some weeks where the prices of some fuel types remained steady.
For example, RON 95 was priced at RM1.89 per litre on June 29 after a steady decline but then increased to RM2.20 per litre as of Sept 7.
For example, RON 95 was priced at RM1.89 per litre on June 29 after a steady decline but then increased to RM2.20 per litre as of Sept 7.
The weekly fuels prices are calculated based on the weekly average Means and Platts of Singapore (MOPS) benchmark prices for the fuels, and the Ringgit’s exchange value against the US Dollar. - Mkini
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