Police have stipulated several conditions for the “Turun Harga Minyak, Turun Najib” (Bring down fuel price, bring down Najib) fuel price protest on New Year’s Eve, organisers said today.
Secretariat member Ahmad Syukri Che Ab Razab said that the organisers will be required to, among others, discuss the use of Dataran Merdeka with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
The organisers were also asked not to turn the protest into a street demonstration.
“That (adhering to the conditions) is subject to our discussions with the authorities. Regardless, the rally will proceed as planned.
“The police have also guaranteed that they would perform their duties, as with the rallies before this. They will try to facilitate our rally and maintain public order.
“The police also hope that all participants would help maintain peace and public order,” Syukri told reporters outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters today, after he and five others met with district police chief Shaharudin Abdullah.
The “Turun Harga Minyak, Turun Najib” – or “Turun Turun” for short – rally is organised by Pakatan Harapan Youth along with several youth NGOs, and is slated to begin at the Sogo shopping complex on Dec 31, an hour before midnight.
Once gathered, participants are expected to proceed to Dataran Merdeka, which is located about a kilometre away, where they would also participate in the countdown towards the new year.
Organisers had officially notified the Dang Wangi police of their intention to hold the protest on Dec 21, in accordance to Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, and were summoned to the police district headquarters today to discuss the rally.
The protest is calling for fuel prices to be stabilised and reduced through government subsidies, with a ceiling price of RM1.90 per litre for RON95 and RM1.80 per litre for diesel.
This, they believe, will lower the prices of goods and the cost of living.
Fuel prices in Malaysia, for the week ending Dec 27, currently stand at RM2.27 per litre for RON95 and RM2.23 per litre for diesel.
The protest is also calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
When asked whether it was adequate that that the government provides direct subsidies through BR1M cash transfers instead, Syukri said “Cannot.”
“The government should find other ways to provide BR1M. The government should find ways to increase the country’s revenue to provide BR1M, and not slash one right to give another. Cannot.
“The people’s right is the people’s right, and fuel subsidies are the people’s right. You can’t just cut subsidies and replace it with BR1M.
“For us, BR1M cannot be enjoyed by all, but fuel subsidies can. This right should be returned to everyone,” he added.
Prior to meeting the police today, Syukri also led a small group of activists in a flashmob outside Sogo to promote the protest.
They handed out flyers and gave about 30 minutes of speeches urging onlookers to join the rally, while about 50 bystanders looked on.
Syukri said another flashmob would be held at the same time and place on Thursday.
- Mkini
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