Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun) is confident that their rally at Dataran Merdeka on New Year’s Eve will not disrupt an Islamic programme to be held at the same venue.

 

Turun chairperson Azan Safar said the aim of the rally is to demand the government to reduce pump prices and not to disrupt the Malam Cinta Rasul (Love the Prophets) event jointly-organised by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

 

“(We will) continue with our plans at Dataran Merdeka. Dataran does not belong to DBKL, but to the people of Malaysia.

 

“We’re not going to snatch the microphone of people chanting praises to the Prophet,” he said, stressing that he is targeting a 10,000 turnout for Turun’s rally dubbed the RM1.90 rally.

 

The RM1.90 rally, which is supported by Pakatan Rakyat, is also a way to show love for Prophet Muhammad, said Azan Safar.

 

“One way to show our love to the Prophet is to champion justice and to fight oppression,” he told Malaysiakini .

 

Malam Cinta Rasul is organised by Yayasan Pendidikan Cheras (YPC) in collaboration with the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Council (MAIWP).

 

It features popular Indonesian preachers Habib Syech Abdul Qodir As Seggaf and Habib Ali Zaenal Abidin.

 

Rise in cost of living

 

The programme, which includes chanting and singing praises to the Prophet, will end at 11.45pm so that the public can join in prayers to welcome the new year at the stroke of midnight.

 

Turun is urging that RON95 pump price be reduced from RM2.26 per litre to RM1.90 through the reintroduction of a government subsidy.

 

Yesterday it denied distributing pamphlets ridiculing Majlis Cinta Rasul, which are being circulated on social media.

 

Last year, Turun’s rally against rising cost of living at Dataran Merdeka prompted DBKL to halt its New Year’s Eve concert half an hour before midnight.

 

The Dec 31, 2013 rally was also accused by the authorities of being an attempt to topple the government.