A coalition of student activists and youth groups under a movement dubbed 'Turun' has called for a rally on New Year's Eve to protest against the government's move to hike prices of essential goods and services.

To be held at Dataran Merdeka, the protest by the Movement to Reduce the Cost of Living, has the cooperation of several NGOs including Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) and Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM).

 

NONE Turun chaiperson Azan Safar said they were calling youths to send a strong signal to the government that the people do not agree to hikes in electricity tariffs, petrol prices and other basic needs.

"Our intention is to rise up but not to overthrow the government," Azan Safar said in a WhatsApp message.

"It is to pressure the government to listen to the people's warning and think about the rising cost of living and look again at our welfare needs," he added.

With a theme of "People's Year of Pain 2014" (Tahun Sengsara Rakyat), Turun said it hopes to draw 10,000 people out to the protest,  which would start at 8 pm.

Turun kicked off with its first protest earlier this month outside the Sogo shopping mall in the heart of KL.