Thousands march in anti-GST rally

An approximate 10,000 protesters converged on Central Market for the #AntiGST rally aimed at urging the government to abolish the newly-implemented Goods and Services Tax (GST) by non-governmental group known as 'May 1 Secretariat''.

The protesters arrived as early as 1pm at various venues here including Sogo Shopping Complex, Dataran Merdeka, National Mosque, Masjid Jamek around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman which had been heavily cordoned off by the police.

The rally also witnessed the May 1 Declaration urging the government to abolish the GST, TTPA discussion halted, minimum wages reviewed, empowerment of labur’s association rights, women’s rights, exploitation of migrant workers’ rights and media freedom, among others.

#BantahGST chairman, Mohamad Sabu, also known as Mat Sabu in his speech said, the rally was not organised to solely object the implementation of the new tax system.

Mat Sabu, who is also PAS deputy president said the protest was called to address several national issues including embezzlement, corruption and the alleged mismanagement in government fund.

“We demand for the abolishment of the GST from Barisan Nasional,” said Mat Sabu in his speech. PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli while addressing the thousands of protesters sternly said that manner of GST collection by the government was a reminiscent of that during the pre-Merdeka Colonial era.

He said, back in the day, the British had oppressed the rakyat in Malaya and India on imposing taxes against necessity items. The act of oppression faced stern objection from Indian Independence figure, Mahatma Gandhi and renowned Malay warrior, Tok Janggut who was later assassinated by the British in a fight.

“If you arrest Anwar, they can be forgiving, or even the Sedition Act too they can be forgiving. But to impose taxes on the elderly and the poor, the rakyat will rise to the occasion,” said the Pandan MP.

Pakatan Rakyat representative, and DAP Organisational Secretary Anthony Loke said the rally was held to send a message to the BN-led government.

“We must send a message to BN … together we rise and continue with the struggle until the government decides to abolish the GST,” said Loke.

The rally, supported by Bersih 2.0, Gerakan Mahasiswa Islam Malaysia (Gamis), Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) and Socialist Party Malaysia, several members of NGOs, political parties and labour associations.

Protesters, most donning red and black, started marching from Central Market to KLCC at approximately 4.10pm. 'Anti-GST' shouts reverberated around the main streets around the city where protesters steadfastly marched towards KLCC from Central Market (Pasar Seni) and Dataran Merdeka.

The rally aimed at gathering one million participants marked as the culmination of the May 1 Secretariat comprising political parties, NGOs and professionals and students.

It was originally slated to be held at Dataran Merdeka. Police on Thursday have agreed to allow the rally to proceed, but on condition that it is held at Padang Merbok.

Spotted were May 1 Secretariat and PSM secretary-general S.Arutchelvam, Datuk Ambiga Sreenivasan, ABU activist Haris Ibrahim, students representatives and NGO members.