Tok Janggut, a pre-Independence Kelantan resistance fighter, will join in the rally against the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on May 1.

 

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said Tok Janggut was chosen as their symbol because he is an icon of resistance after he was killed by the British for opposing taxes of the colonial government in 1915.

 

As such, the slogan #KamiAdalahTokJanggut (We are all Tok Janggut) will be the theme of the rally, Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, said.

 

“Tok Janggut was a fighter who fought the colonial masters who imposed all sorts of taxes.

 

“Now, under BN’s rule, the government is imposing an unreasonable tax. The government must instead fight corruption and leakages from the coffers,” he said.

 

Mat Sabu also urged activists to hold mini rallies in the lead up to May 1 to gather support and to urge supporters to come out in force for the Kuala Lumpur rally.

 

The six percent GST was implemented on April 1 despite 50,000 people thronging Kuala Lumpur in protest against it last May 1.

 

Tok Janggut, whose real name was Hassan Panglima Mat Munas, was an influential scholar who opposed taxation.

 

Historians note that although the sultan, too, was unhappy with the taxation, Tok Janggut was declared as treasonous by the sultan following pressure from the British and reports of an uprising.

 

Tok Janggut was killed by police and his body brought by bullock cart to Kota Bharu and put on public display as a warning against further dissent.

Kita Lawan GST in JB

Responding to the call, the movement Kita Lawan said it will hold an anti-GST rally in Johor Bahru at 4pm tomorrow, in front of City Square shopping mall, Jalan Wong Ah Fook.

 

“This will be a historic moment when the fighting spirit is ignited in the stronghold of the ruling  party, as a reminder to them top stop persecuting and oppressing the people,” Kita Lawan said.

 

“The rally will bring the message to the Johor public their suffering from the rising cost of goods and cost of living due to GST need not be borne alone,” said the group, naming their rally #KitaLawanGST.

“While every day people have to pay taxes, they (the ruling party) continue to wallow in luxury, corruption and abuse of power.

 

“Thus, the sufferings of the people must be expressed openly, so that this can raise strength and courage among all of us to unite against this unjust tax,” added the Kita Lawan secretariat.

 

Calling on protesters to wear black, the organiser also urged the authorities not to provoke the protesters but instead to assist them in voicing their concerns in a peaceful manner.

 

They added tomorrow’s rally will be the launchpad of a nationwide campaign against GST.