The rally to demand lower fuel prices on New Year’s Eve would be postponed to show solidarity with flood victims.

The rally organisers, Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), made up of 15 NGOs, said this today in a press statement.

The “#demand for oil price at RM1.90” rally was to be held at Dataran Merdeka on New Year’s Eve to petition the current fuel prices to be lowered.

Turun is joined by prominent NGOs like Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) and Gerakan Mahasiswa Islam SeMalaysia (Gamis), human rights organisation Suaram, and Royalti Kelantan, which pushes for oil royalty payment from federal government to the state.

“The country is going through a serious natural disaster. Hence, the organising committee of the ’demand for oil price at RM1.90 ‘has decided to postpone the rally to a later date,” said Turun chief Azan Safar.

In a Bernama tweet today, the number of flood victims in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Perak had risen to 103,413 people, an increase of 9,395 victims from last night.

Meanwhile, Azan said that if the price of RON95 fuel is not reduced by the government on Jan 1, 2015, the coalition of NGOs would go ahead with the protest.

“If the price of RON95 is not reduced to RM1.90, we would not hesitate to launch a huge rally,” Azan said.

The coalition of NGOs also demanded that all New Year’s Eve celebration be cancelled as a sign of solidarity with the flood victims.

“And this includes the Malam Cinta Rasul programme to be held at Dataran Merdeka as well as celebrations at the state level.

Urging Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his cabinet members to be on the ground in assisting the victims, Turun also urged all quarters to stop political sentiments, especially as the country was facing a calamity.

“We, at the NGO level, have also started operations to help flood victims nationwide,” said Azan.