KUALA LUMPUR – Amanah and some 200 disgruntled Malaysians were at Masjid Jamek in Kg Baru here at 2pm to vent their frustrations over the rising prices of goods.
Party president Mohamad Sabu and communication director Khalid Samad are expected to lead the group, according to a spokesman.
On June 29, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced the formation of a special inflation task force, even though there is a National Action Council on Cost of Living, to address the increased cost of living.
On the same day, the government made an about-turn on the removal of ceiling prices for chicken, instead setting RM9.40 per kg for standard chicken for Peninsular Malaysia.
The 50 sen increase in the ceiling price takes effect today.
About 100 people were at the mosque entrance, where several Amanah members parked their cars by the roadside to deliver speeches from loudhailers.
Some of the protesters were seen carrying placards that read “BN = Barang Naik” and “Kembalikan subsidi barang makan”.
However, less than 20 minutes into the demonstration, party members called for the crowd to disperse and promised to organise a bigger gathering if the cost of living continues to climb.
Some 15 police officers were spotted monitoring the event situation and controlling traffic flow.
Amanah mobilisation chief Sany Hamzan gave the government until July 16 to address the matter, warning that the party will organise a bigger gathering if no substantive action is taken.
“If the government does not meet our demands, wait until July 16 and we will hold another demonstration.”
The party outlined three demands, namely for the government to return food subsidies, abolish food import permits and for the issue to be raised in the next Parliament sitting.
Similarly, Amanah Youth chief Hasbie Muda called on ministers to step down from their posts if they are unable to alleviate the sufferings of the people, who are still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If you have failed to control prices, then do the gentlemanly thing and withdraw from the government.”
Khalid also did not mince his words, lambasting the current government as “frogs” vying for power at the expense of the people’s wellbeing.
“They fight because they want positions, but they don’t care about the people.”
Commenting on the recently established special inflation taskforce, he suggested that Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa heading the task force is a questionable choice.
“He is part of the problem, not a solution to the problems of inflation we face.” – The Vibes, July 1, 2022
