Just as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was preparing to read out the Budget 2018 speech, a small group staged a demonstration in protest of recent fuel price hikes near the Parliament building today.

Fifteen people, representing the Gerakan Turunkan Harga Minyak (Gertak) campaign, held up a banner saying “Honk as a sign of protest against rising fuel prices” along with signs saying “Don’t oppress the rakyat” as they chanted “turun turun, harga minyak” (bring down fuel prices).

Gertak coordinator Faiz Fadzil said the movement was established today in conjunction with the tabling of the budget.

“Fuel prices are the main factor affecting the economy today...the rise in the price of goods can be linked to it...