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More than 20,000 objection letters were submitted to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) headquarters this morning, in a mass handover organised by Pakatan Rakyat MPs.

NONEAmidst tight security, about 500 city dwellers and supporters crowded the entrance to the building in Jalan Raja Laut, shouting slogans against the move to raise rates by up to 300 percent in some areas.

Almost all the Pakatan MPs in Kuala Lumpur were present, while PAS’ Shah Alam parliamentarian Khalid Samad lent support to his colleagues.

Speaking to reporters later, PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said the objection letters had been accepted and acknowledged by officers at the relevant counters.

NONE“I was only able to reach the counter,” said Nurul Izzah, expressing dissatisfaction at being unable to hand the letters personally to the mayor, Ahmad Phesal Talib.

“I call for this issue to be debated in Parliament once more, as the previous debate was too short,” she said.

PKR’s Batu MP Tian Chua said the quantum of increase is unfair to rate-payers and that the move would only make the people angry.

NONEThe DAP’s Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai urged the reinstatement of local council elections in Kuala Lumpur, so that DBKL “will be more respectful (of rate-payers) and understanding”.

Ahmad Phesal made a brief appearance to address the crowd about 10.45am, but within 10 minutes under tight security.

The crowd also called for the mayor’s resignation if he fails to come up with a solution.

NONELast Friday, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had urged city dwellers not to participate in the assembly.

He said the government will take into consideration every objection letter submitted within the deadline - which expires tomorrow - before making a final decision by the end of this month.