Govt will not act on price hikes without public pressure - PKR protesters

A government left to rule without pressure will not move to act in the interests of the people, said a group of PKR Youth members protesting the recent rapid increase in prices of basic goods.

Group spokesperson Danish Khairudin said their gathering of around a dozen members from PKR divisions of Klang, Kapar and Kota Raja aimed to trigger other forms of expression against government inaction in tackling rising prices.

"This is our first flashmob in Selangor. Yesterday there was a flashmob in Penang to raise awareness and embolden the people to speak up on current happenings.

"I am confident that this wave will move when the people are under immense pressure.

"We have to see this as positive pressure from the people. Without pressure, the government will remain lackadaisical," said Danish who is also the political secretary to Sentosa assemblyperson Gunaraj George.

The flashmob today was held several days after Johor DAP deputy chief Sheikh Umar Ali's reported call for a large-scale street rally over price hikes, which earned a royal rebuke from Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar who revived the spectre of the May 13 riots over it.

In his call for a protest, Sheikh Umar said it was needed to encourage the government to expedite its efforts to tackle the rising cost of living.

Stop internal politicking

Klang PKR Youth chief Mohd Shahril Adnan urged politicians in power to cease their internal politickings and serve the people, citing rumblings within Umno and Bersatu over positions.

"The people are struggling to ration their meals while they (politicians) are busy charting their own course," he said.

Earlier, the group gathered along the sidewalk of Klang City Council where they raised signs protesting the government's failure to tackle rising prices, particularly chicken and cooking oil affected by a withdrawal of subsidies beginning July 1.

Vehicles passing through the main road by Dewan Hamzah also followed a sign held up for drivers to honk in protest.

The flashmob ended peacefully at around noon under close watch from more than a dozen uniformed and plainclothed police personnel from the Klang Selatan district police station. - Mkini