'Cut ministers' pay' - student activists protest over rising costs of goods
A coalition of student groups today took to the streets to protest their ire towards the government and its lack of action on the rising costs of goods.
Their demands to the government were pay cuts for ministers, continue giving subsidies, better cash assistance, maintain a ceiling price on goods, and resolve food security issues.
Addressing the crowd, IIUM student union president Aliff Naif said the comment made by...
A coalition of student groups today took to the streets to protest their ire towards the government and its lack of action on the rising costs of goods.
Their demands to the government were pay cuts for ministers, continue giving subsidies, better cash assistance, maintain a ceiling price on goods, and resolve food security issues.
Addressing the crowd, IIUM student union president Aliff Naif said the comment made by Deputy Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh yesterday showed a divide in society.
Nik Muhammad had said that the rising costs of goods are not likely a huge problem for consumers.
“Our first demand is for ministers to take a pay cut, to show equality.
“The deputy agriculture and food industries minister’s comment yesterday shows a divide in the society.
“They (ministers) do not understand our situation. We demand that they take pay cuts so they understand our plight,” Aliff told the 100 protesters who had gathered at Pasar Seni in Kuala Lumpur.
‘Listen to us’
Meanwhile, National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students president Ahmad Farhan said the students gathered in peace to express their frustration.
He lamented that it was difficult for the rakyat to afford basic necessities such as eggs, sardines and kangkung (water spinach) even back then.
“Now the prices of chicken, sardines and kangkung have increased, what is the rakyat meant to eat?
“We have gathered here today to demonstrate that these things should not be allowed. Listen to the plight of students,” he added.
Around 50 police officers watched the 40-minute protest with no interruptions.
Last week, student unions of IIUM and Universiti Malaya called on the government to lower the prices of goods, indicating that a failure to do so may result in a street protest.
Aliff warned the government today that if it did not heed their demands, they will turn up for another public protest.
“If our demands (today) are not met, this will not be the last time that you see us. This will not be the last time that we speak up,” he said.
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