A threat of a heavy downpour also failed to diminish the spirit of the participants from taking part in the rally.
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 15,000 people gathered at Dataran Merdeka today in support of the anti-GST rally, and by 4pm, thousands more were expected to join the crowd. Organisers believe the final number could be closer to 20,000.
A threat of a heavy downpour also failed to diminish the spirit of the participants from taking part in the rally.
Earlier the rally kicked off with a strong crowd support and speeches from NGO leaders in front of the iconic KLCC twin towers.
By 2pm, more that 3,000 people had gathered at the scene, with more people joining in as the crowd started to march towards Dataran Merdeka.
The rally started with speeches from civil society leaders – including Bersih chairperson Maria Chin
Abdullah and her predecessor S Ambiga – who lambasted the government’s plan to implement the GST. They also called for equal rights for local and foreign workers in conjunction of May Day.
“Everyone is going to suffer under GST. But the rich are only going to get richer,” said Maria.
“It is important for everyone to know the truth about GST and it is important for us to oppose the implementation of the GST,” she added.
“(And) not to forget free and fair election,” she further said.
Her views were later mirrored by speakers from PSM and the anti-Lynas activists.
Apart from KLCC, people had also gathered at selected locations in Dataran Maybank, opposite Sogo shopping complex and Masjid Negara. They would all march towards Dataran Merdeka.
Traffic police could be been assisting in managing the traffic to allow a smooth march towards Dataran Merdeka.
Gasak sampai tumbang
Earlier it was all well at all major roads leading to the city ahead of the May 1 rally – also dubbed as the anti-Goods and Services Tax (GST) protest – scheduled for the later part of this afternoon.
The scene at the KLCC – one of the meeting points – shows hundreds of people starting to gather.
Likewise, people have started gathering at Dataran Maybank, Sogo and Masjid Negara, all awaiting the green light from the organisers to start their peaceful walk towards the Sultan Abdul Samad building opposite Dataran Merdeka.
Chanting ‘Gasak Sampai Tumbang’ and ‘hidup rakyat‘, the majority of them are walking about or standing by the roadsides under the watchful eyes of the police who are there to avoid unnecessary incidents from occurring.
Opportunistic hawkers selling mineral water bottles and canned drinks have also been spotted plying their wares to the people present.
On April 21, IGP Khalid Abu Bakar urged rally organisers not to gather at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur but a three-member Appeals Court panel ruled last Friday that the 10-day notice requirement under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act was unconstitutional.
Meanwhile Bernama reported that some of the participants had defied the police advice by taking along children and carrying placards.
Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh said the participants were allowed to gather
around the Merdeka Square but barred from entering the field and podium as they were being upgraded.
They are also not allowed to take along children, loud hailers, placards, banners, and weapons as the actions violated the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, he added.
Policemen and Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement personnel are manning Dataran Merdeka, the focal point of the rally where the participants are expected to assemble between 2 pm and 5 pm.
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 15,000 people gathered at Dataran Merdeka today in support of the anti-GST rally, and by 4pm, thousands more were expected to join the crowd. Organisers believe the final number could be closer to 20,000.
A threat of a heavy downpour also failed to diminish the spirit of the participants from taking part in the rally.
Earlier the rally kicked off with a strong crowd support and speeches from NGO leaders in front of the iconic KLCC twin towers.
By 2pm, more that 3,000 people had gathered at the scene, with more people joining in as the crowd started to march towards Dataran Merdeka.
The rally started with speeches from civil society leaders – including Bersih chairperson Maria Chin
“Everyone is going to suffer under GST. But the rich are only going to get richer,” said Maria.
“It is important for everyone to know the truth about GST and it is important for us to oppose the implementation of the GST,” she added.
“(And) not to forget free and fair election,” she further said.
Her views were later mirrored by speakers from PSM and the anti-Lynas activists.
Apart from KLCC, people had also gathered at selected locations in Dataran Maybank, opposite Sogo shopping complex and Masjid Negara. They would all march towards Dataran Merdeka.
Traffic police could be been assisting in managing the traffic to allow a smooth march towards Dataran Merdeka.
Gasak sampai tumbang
The scene at the KLCC – one of the meeting points – shows hundreds of people starting to gather.
Likewise, people have started gathering at Dataran Maybank, Sogo and Masjid Negara, all awaiting the green light from the organisers to start their peaceful walk towards the Sultan Abdul Samad building opposite Dataran Merdeka.
Chanting ‘Gasak Sampai Tumbang’ and ‘hidup rakyat‘, the majority of them are walking about or standing by the roadsides under the watchful eyes of the police who are there to avoid unnecessary incidents from occurring.
Opportunistic hawkers selling mineral water bottles and canned drinks have also been spotted plying their wares to the people present.
On April 21, IGP Khalid Abu Bakar urged rally organisers not to gather at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur but a three-member Appeals Court panel ruled last Friday that the 10-day notice requirement under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act was unconstitutional.
Meanwhile Bernama reported that some of the participants had defied the police advice by taking along children and carrying placards.
Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh said the participants were allowed to gather
They are also not allowed to take along children, loud hailers, placards, banners, and weapons as the actions violated the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, he added.
Policemen and Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement personnel are manning Dataran Merdeka, the focal point of the rally where the participants are expected to assemble between 2 pm and 5 pm.
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