Anti-GST rally-goer gathers early in Sogo

It is usually quiet morning at downtown Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman on a public holiday.

But crowds have gathered today as early as 10am in front of the Sogo Shopping Complex, as Malaysians from near and afar made their way to the city centre to protest the Goods and Services Tax (GST), that the government said will be enforced starting April 2015.

About 200 rally-goers have gathered at Sogo – some arrived yesterday evening – to join other groups who have converged in a few locations in the city, namely KLCC, Dataran Maybank and the Masjid Negara. They will then march towards Dataran Merdeka.

The police have given rally-goers the green light for a gathering in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad building on Jalan Raja but warned that it was “illegal” for anyone to march to Dataran Merdeka.

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Anti-GST protesters in front of Sogo Shopping Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

“No marching is allowed. It is not right. If you want to assemble, just go straight to Jalan Raja. Street protests are an offence under the Peaceful Assembly Act. We won’t allow it,” Dang Wangi district police chief Assistant Commissioner Zainuddin Ahmad said last night.

Ninety-five NGOs are part of this May Day anti-GST protest, led by Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM).