KUALA LUMPUR – The Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has lambasted a DAP leader’s suggestion of holding street protests in the wake of the rising costs of living, saying the method of applying pressure to the government was not effective in resolving the issue.
In a post on his official Facebook page, the sultan said that demonstrations are not a responsible way to find a solution to the problem and there are other “constructive” methods.
“Have we not learned enough from the bloody street protests of the past? Have they forgotten the riots of 1969, also more recently, the Bersih riots? It never achieved anything, except chaos, destruction, and a black mark on our nation’s history!”
Sultan Ibrahim was referring to a recent statement by DAP central executive committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, who urged the public in Kuala Lumpur to take to the streets to air their frustrations over the rising costs of living.
The Johor ruler said such demonstrations would adversely affect the economy, turn away investors, and push the country back in terms of its Covid-19 pandemic recovery efforts.
“Protesting on the streets is not the Malaysian way…there will be no winners when this happens. There will only be losers, and who knows how long it will take for scars to heal.
“Our laws must be respected and upheld. Do not spew seditious statements when there are many other constructive avenues to channel your suggestions and views.”
Two days ago, Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) presidential council slammed the government over the impending increase in the price of basic goods, demanding that it announce a contingency plan to address the costs of living within 24 hours.
PH also said it will consider taking other actions such as mobilising civil society groups and other interested parties to help members of the public air their grievances.
“If they fail, all the ministers involved in the issue of cost of living must also resign from their positions,” it said.
Earlier this week, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi announced the removal of all subsidies on bottled cooking palm oil products effective July 1, with prices expected to increase.
This is paired with the government’s earlier decision to remove ceiling prices imposed on poultry products, with Nanta saying he expects the price of chicken to hover slightly above RM10 per kg compared to the current maximum of RM9.90 for super round chicken in Peninsular Malaysia. – The Vibes, June 24, 2022
