[UPDATED] #TurunMalaysia protest sees poor turnout despite demands for govt to control rising costs of goods

KUALA LUMPUR – The Turun Malaysia protest which was expected to generate a huge crowd turned out to be a dampening effort as barely over 100 people emerged to protest in front of the Sogo shopping complex, here, today.

Demanding for the government to take immediate action against the rising cost of goods, the protesters, the majority of whom were dressed in all black, carried placards that read “lawak ke subsidi?” (is subsidy a joke?) as well as “turun dan lawan” (protest and resist).

The majority of protestors mainly consist of university students expressing their disappointment in the government for failing to fight for the rights of the people.

Yesterday, Turun Malaysia called on Malaysians to gather at Sogo at 2pm, saying it would be demanding for ministers to take pay cuts, subsidy measures to be maintained, the channelling of better assistance to those in need, and for the government to control the price of goods and ensure food security. 

Despite the low turnout, the protest went ahead with speeches from a few notable public figures including newly minted PKR Youth chief Adam Adli and Kapar MP Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid.

Anchoring the protest was Amir Abdul Hadi, Turun Malaysia committee member, who demanded for the cabinet to be downsized and for the salary of ministers to be slashed.

“Is it fair when the people are suffering so much, we then hear news of ministers getting a raise?

“How is this justice?

“The current cabinet now is the largest in history. We demand that these ministers resign so that their salaries can be better put to use for the people,” he said.

Shortly after Amir’s speech, protestors attempted to make their way to Dataran Merdeka but were halted by police.

Following slight deliberations between Turun Malaysia committee members and police, the protest was only allowed to continue on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, albeit only on a short strip of road in front of the Sogo Shopping complex.

For public safety, police also prevented traffic from coming through Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. 

Speaking at the protest, International Islamic University Malaysia student union president Aliff Naif Mohd Fizam urged the youth to voice their discontent over the government’s apparent weakness.

“Students, don’t be afraid to voice out your rights,” he said, stressing that the youth have a great responsibility to hold the government accountable for their welfare and future.

Among the issues that were brought up during the speech was the recent decision by the Sabah state assembly to raise salaries and allowance for ministers and assemblymen.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan had explained that the raise is justified as their salaries had remained the same for the past 20 years.

Last Thursday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed also clarified that the government has yet to discuss cutting the salaries of ministers or high-ranking civil servants as part of austerity measures.

“So far the issue has not been brought up (during cabinet meetings),” he said. – The Vibes, July 23, 2022