The Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) is launching their nationwide roadshows condemning the sharp hike in fuel prices starting this Saturday in Seremban.
Protes spokespersons would be issuing a short public statement at the Terminal One shopping mall to mark the start of the campaign at 3pm.
A host of NGO representatives and Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives from the federal and local level would then distribute leaflets at the shopping mall.
“The climax of the launch would be the ceramah in Taman Jasmin, Senawang in the evening where a strong lineup of speakers will be sharing their views on the shocking hike in fuel prices,” said Badrul Hisham Shaharin, who is part of the organising committee for the Seremban roadshow.
An application for a police permit was made last Friday and a reply is expected soon.
Since 2006, the Protes coalition - consisting of 57 NGO and five opposition parties - have been organising a series of activities against rises in utility, fuel and toll charges.
Through a series of roadshows throughout the country, the coalition seeks to rally 100,000 people to a mass demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on July 12 against the recent hike in fuel charges.
Police probe
In a related development, police have recorded statements from several Pakatan elected representatives from Negeri Sembilan yesterday over a demonstration in Seremban last Friday.
Among those who have had their statements recorded included state assembly opposition leader Loke Siew Fook (Lobak), assemblypersons Wong May May (Mambau), Cha Kee Chin (Bukit Kepayang), P Gunasekaran (Senawang), Chai Tong Chai (Chuah) and PAS Negeri Sembilan chief Zulkifli Omar.
According to Loke, the demonstration jointly organised by Pakatan Negeri Sembilan took place for one hour at the Seremban market involving some 100 people.
“It was peaceful. We dispersed on our own after making our stand known,” he said, adding that Seremban district police were investigating a report filed by their own officers.
Loke expressed surprise that he was called in for questioning and said that the police action may be a form of intimidation as the Seremban-leg of the Protes roadshow was around the corner.
“This is my second term as an elected representative. Before this, I was involved in many protest before. They were all peaceful and we dispersed peacefully after that.
“In all of those instances, the police had never taken statements from me before, nor had the police lodged a report against us. This is the first time my statements were taken over a peaceful assembly,” he stated.
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