Organisers of the May Day protest against the proposed Goods and Services Tax ( GST ) tomorrow expect a peaceful and smooth-sailing event.

NONE May 1st Committee Coordinator S Arutchelvan told  Malaysiakini that they do not expect to face any problems from the authorities.

“We have (in 2008) held our peaceful protest at the same venue (Dataran Merdeka) and the police were cooperative. So we do not expect the police to stop us (this time),” he said.    

He explained that the May Day protest is usually organised at various states dataran (parade squares), for example at the Dataran Negeri Sembilan in last year’s event.

gst 110310 s arutchelvan Arutchelvan ( left ), who is also Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary general, said that they had sent letters to notify the authorities of the event but added, “We have not received any response, so we are not sure what the police will do.”

The highlight of the event will be the reading of this year’s May Day Declaration which has been endorsed by 110 organisations and political parties.

“There will also be teachers from various communities, who will give talks and express their opinions. A drama on the history of May Day will be showcased as well,” he said, adding that no speeches by political leaders are planned because it is not a political rally.

The organisers expect an estimated turnout of 1,000 supporters during the one-and-a-half hour event.

The May 1st committee has been organising the event to commemorate May Day since 1994, making tomorrow’s the 16th.

“A holiday is given by the government on May 1 so that people can celebrate May Day. So I hope that we can do so peacefully,” said Arutchelvan.