Another demonstration against the increase in toll rates will be held in front of the IOI shopping mall in Puchong on Sunday.

Organised by Protes - a coalition of opposition parties, trade unions, civil society and student groups - the demonstration, slated for 4pm, hopes to draw some 3,000 people.

Most of the major access roads to Puchong, which sits in the centre of several highways, require motorists to pay toll.

"The people are dissatisfied about the toll hike, so we want to gather again to send a message to the government that the people reject the toll hike," said Protes secretary Dr Hatta Ramli in a statement.

Effective Jan 1, the toll rates for five highways in the Klang Valley saw an increase between 20 to 60 percent. There is also much disgruntlement over the government's reluctance to make public the highway concession agreements.

The five highways are the Shah Alam Highway, Cheras-Kajang Highway, Damansara-Puchong Highway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and the Guthrie Corridor Expressway.

Don't be afraid

Hatta said those attending the protest need not be afraid of the police because citizens have a right to assemble peacefully under the Federal Constitution.

"I think people should know that its their right to assemble peacefully and we as organisers are determined to ensure that the assembly will be peaceful," he added.

On Jan 21, the police moved in to prevent anti-toll protestors from gathering near the Cheras-Kajang Highway Batu 11 toll booth.

Several protestors claimed that they were victims of police abuse while the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is deliberating on whether to probe the incident.