The rising cost of living does not warrant the need for the people to take to the streets to protest, Malay right wing group Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said today.

protest against fuel price hike ipoh dap 010211 "It does not warrant us going to the streets because such actions will only make things worse," Ibrahim told a press conference at Perkasa headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"For me, what NGOs such as Perkasa can do is to send memoranda to the government," he said.

Ibrahim's statement comes shortly after several BN politicians themselves disagreed with the slew of price increases and subsidy cuts in country that is shooting up living costs.

Umno Youth, BN's Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina Merican, BN's Johor Bahru MP Shahrir Samad and BN senator Ezam Mohd Nor are among those who have cast their apprehension over the latest proposed highway toll charge increases, which will come hot on the heels of the electricity tariff hike and the sugar subsidy abolition.

Ibrahim was referring to PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu’s announcement that the year 2014 would be a year of demonstrations in order to protest the slew of price hikes.

Mat Sabu said there will be a massive rally on May 1, coinciding with Labour Day.

NONE Apart from that, several minor rallies will also be held in order to build the momentum for the massive May 1 rally, Mat Sabu said.

Meanwhile, surprisingly, the often vocal and firebrand Ibrahim took a conciliatory approach when asked about the allegations that Mat Sabu was involved in Shiism .

He said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Mat Sabu should settle the matter behind closed doors.

"Such a thing will be good for Islam," Ibrahim said.

He also said Mat Sabu has the right to “defend himself” against such accusations levelled against him.

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