Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) secretary has no intention to apply for a police permit for its peaceful assembly against fuel price hike in front of the KLCC on Saturday.

“This is in line with Suhakam’s recommendation that a peaceful assembly should be allowed without police permission,” Protes secretary Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli told a press conference yesterday.

However, Protes will inform the police of its intention and also invite Suhakam and the Bar Council to monitor the event

"Protes will coordinate with PAS Youth to make sure things will be under control during the protest," added Ramli who is also PAS treasurer.

PAS has its own para-military brigade (unit amal) for crowd control. It had assisted the police in maintaining peace and order during the Bersih rally last year.

PSM pro-tem secretary general S Arutchelvan who was also present at the press conference insisted that the protest should be held now before the government raises the price of fuel again.

"There's no use in protesting if the price is already up,” he reasoned.

Another fuel hike

According to Hatta, there is a likelihood of another fuel hike this year.

“Inflation is spiralling out of control and the lower income group is suffering. People are also facing hardship due to the hike in highway toll, essential household goods, electricity and water tariffs.

Protes was initially formed to protest against the hike in fuel prices in 2006. The following year, the coalition focused on toll charges.

In another development, PAS Youth submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in Putrajaya yesterday morning to protest the price hike of controlled goods.

Led by its chief Salahuddin Ayub, the memorandum was received by a ministry representative and observed by several policemen.

The PAS team also brought along items such as rice, sugar, oil and milk powder in a symbolic act.