SHAH ALAM, 24 Dec: 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 will not snatch the microphone of those praying. That is important,” said Azan who insisted with his original plan to gather 10,000 participants on the night to demand for fuel prices to be lowered.
He considers the rally with NGOs and Pakatan Rakyat a way to express love for Rasulullah (messengers).
“Some of the people express their love to the Rasul by fighting for justice and fighting against tyranny,” he said, quoted by Malaysia Kini.
The Cinta Rasul programme is also organised by the Cheras Education Foundation (YPC) in collaboration with the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) featuring popular Indonesian preachers including Habib Syech Abdul Qodir As Seggaf and Habib Ali Zaenal Abidin.
The programme is expected to end around 11.45pm to enable the people waiting for 12am to join the midnight prayers in conjunction with the New Year.
The TURUN demonstration is also to demand for the price of RON95 to be lowered to RM1.90 per litre compared to RM2.26 now.
TURUN previously vehemently denied distributing promotional leaflets belittling the Selawat programme for the Prophet Muhammad on a website.
The group also described the distribution of such material as a desperate attempt of parties who fear public reaction regarding their demands.
It will be the second rally after the first was held on the New Year’s Eve celebration on 31 December 2013.
NS
