KUALA LUMPUR – The Tolak Kerajaan Gagal Movement that was to have held a protest to mark the one-year anniversary of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s “failed administration” today has switched plans and will hold a nationwide tour instead.
Syahmi Shamsudin, a spokesman for the movement’s secretariat, told the press today that the change in plans was to reach more Malaysians all over the country.
The protest was originally scheduled to take place in front of the Sogo shopping complex here this afternoon.
Syahmi said the secretariat will continue to hold talks and street protests nationwide to explain Ismail Sabri’s as well as his Barisan Nasional administration’s failures.
“We also call on Malaysians, especially youths, who are aware that the choices made today will affect their future and that of generations to come, to join us in whatever capacity they can,” he told reporters at the launch of the tour at Restoran Amjal in Wangsa Maju this afternoon.
He said the tour schedule will be announced to the public on the movement’s social media pages in the near future.
Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi, who was also present, said the youth-based movement was backed by the youth wings of opposition parties, but is open to any like-minded individuals, parties, and organisations.
Amir added that the nationwide tour will proceed whether Parliament is dissolved soon or not.
“It affects everyone and who the people choose later,” he said, adding that the tour will enable voters to evaluate the government.
Also at the press conference today were International Islamic University Malaysia student union president Aliff Naif, Universiti Malaya student union president Ooi Go Shen, Angkatan Mahasiswa UM Amirul Amin, Amanah Youth, Angkatan Muda Keadilan, DAP Socialist Youth, Mahasiswa Muda, and representatives from several other non-governmental organisations.
On July 23, the same movement under another name, Turun Malaysia, held a protest in the capital over rising living costs.
Their demands then were for ministers to take pay cuts, subsidy measures to be maintained, better assistance for those in need, and for the government to control the prices of goods and ensure food security. – The Vibes, August 20, 2022
Additional reporting by Hakim Mahari