It is common for parents to bring their children to the Petronas Twin Towers but for one mother of five, it was also a chance to educate her children about national issues.

The 42-year old housewife who only want to be known as Zumrah, along with her five children were among more 2,000 people gathered in front of KLCC shopping centre to protest the recent 30 sen fuel hike.

"I want to let them know what is happening in our country and our responsibilities as the rakyat," she said.

Her second daughter, Ainnuha who is presently awaiting her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia results said that she participated the protest not because she was feeling the pinch, but because the fuel price hike would severely impact her fellow Malaysians.

"Not everyone lives a rich lifestyle. That's why I give support to the majority of people who are suffering (from the price hikes)," said the 18-year-old lass.

Motorcyclists affected

Two accounting students at the protest who both own motorcycles lamented that the impact of the 30-sen hike in petrol prices was more obvious than previous hikes.

"It used to cost four to five ringgit for a full tank. But now it's six to seven ringgit," said Wong Tech Chi, 23 ( right ).

His buddy, Ting Yee Ping, 22, ( left ) feels that there is no way that he could 'change lifestyle' as suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Look, I only buy necessities. And the prices of these have already gone up," said Ting.

The duo got wind of the protest through Short Messaging System (SMS) and decided join in. They were both rather disturbed by the presence of a helicopter hovering overhead.

"These (the helicopter) are the guys that don't deserve any fuel subsidies," quipped Ting.

Dearer cooking gas

The protest also drew the attention of people in the plantation estates. Alli ( right ), 46, and Thanam, 69 ( left ), both agreed that the massive hike in the price of a barrel of cooking gas, would cause them hardship.

The duo from Ladang Midlands, Shah Alam, claimed that for a small tank of gas, they are paying RM22.50, or RM4.50 more than the previous price.

"We feel oppressed. That's why we are struggling for our rights today," said Alli, when asked about her purpose of participating in the protest.

Meanwhile, Thanam, a grandmother, said that even school buses have raised their fares, despite government assurance.

"Taxi, roti canai, teh tarik... everything. We cannot afford basic things, let alone good food," said Thanam.

PHOTO GALLERY