Hundreds of weekend shoppers made their voices heard today as they banded with opposition party supporters and activists in a street demonstration denouncing the recent hike in highway toll charges.

With baby prams and shopping bags in tow, many initial curious onlookers were soon converted to chant slogans and cheer speakers denouncing the recent toll hike.

There were all there - from courting couples to the elderly, the multiracial crowd from all walks of life - in front of Sunway Pyramid shopping centre to support the protest.

One shopper-turned-demonstrator from Puchong Permai and wished to be known only as Lim, lamented that she was feeling the pinch from the toll hikes.

Everyday, she ferries her two daughters to and fro a primary school at USJ 19, Subang Jaya while she works as a bank clerk in USJ Taipan, using the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) four times.

"The RM6.40 I pay everyday is enough for a hearty meal," she said. Before the toll hikes on Jan 1, she was paying RM4 daily.

Subang police 'professional'

Was she concerned about the overwhelming police presence?

"They are paid to protect us. Why should I be afraid?" quipped Lim, aged 39.

While some protestors heard about the demonstration through word of mouth, others found out through the Internet, such as first-time street demonstrator Steve Low, 26, who is a computer programmer and resides in SS18 in Subang Jaya.

"I am not a supporter of any political party. I'm here because I have to travel to Puchong everyday to work. I am only anti-toll hike," said Low, who found out about the demonstration through the jeffooi.com blogsite.

Low also was pleased that the police had acted 'quite processionally' in handling the crowd.

Female FRU in action

Beginning Jan 1, the toll rates for five major highways in the Klang Valley increased between 20 to 60 percent. LDP saw the highest rise with its toll rising from RM1 to RM1.60.

The other four highways are Shah Alam Highway, Cheras-Kajang Highway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and Guthrie Corridor Expressway.

The protest which started at 4pm, was organised by an ad hoc anti-toll rise coalition, Protes, which is made up of opposition parties, non-government organisations, unions and several civil society movements.

According to Subang district police chief Muhd Fuad Talib, more than 500 policemen were at the scene, which included 90 riot police from the Federal Reserve Unit.

In a surprise move, 20 of the baton and shield wielding riot police were females. This was commended by several speakers during the demonstration as a sign of gender equality.

But overall, the police drew praises from speakers and the crowd for allowing the protest to go for two hours on without any untoward incidents.

Muhd Fuad himself told reporters that demonstrators were 'quite orderly'.

At around 6.30pm, the organisers urged the crowd to disperse peacefully, without threats and intimidations from the men in blue.

Pak Lah harshly criticised

Earlier during the protest, many speakers made harsh criticisms against the government, in particular Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general G Rajasekaran lambasted the premier for never responding to any of the memorandums that the union had submitted - such as ones pertaining fuel, electricity and water price hikes.

"There is no response to issues raised by the public. That is the method of today's prime minister," he said.

Several banners at the demonstration were also equally critical of Abdullah and Works Minister S Samy Vellu, albeit more humorously.

" Macha! Sign ini 'SLIP'... Macha can 'SLEEP' (Friend! Sign this slip so you can sleep!)," captioned one banner which depicts Samy trying to get a drowsy Abdullah to sign an agreement to increase the toll hike.

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat information chief Tian Chua told reporters later, that the turnout for today's demonstration showed that the rakyat was trying to send a strong message to the government on the financial strains they are feeling.

"They gathered here today because they feel pressured by the rising cost of living [...] this is the only way that the government would understand the sentiments on the ground," said Tian.

Last year saw a meteoric rise in fuel, electricity and water prices in most parts of the country.

"The people have to make a decision: For the past 50 years, Malaysia have been ruled by one party and they have become complacent and ignored the needs of the people. The people in turn must let the government know that their votes are not unconditional," added Tian.

The next demonstration against the toll hikes would be held at 4pm on Jan 14 at the Gombak toll plaza of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway.

(Photos by Andrew Ong)