The increase of fuel and cooking gas prices saw a rare incident unravel in the Sarawakian capital of Kuching today. The state's opposition leaders mounted not one, but two protests.

The first was held outside a Petronas petrol station, where some 100 people gathered to voice their dissatisfaction.

Led by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Sarawak National Party (Snap) leaders, they brandished placards and banners denouncing the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

They also urged chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud - the state BN chief - to step down. 'Reject BN and Taib for oil price hike!' read one placard.

The protests, which saw the participation of members of the yet-to-be registered Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC), took place under the watchful eyes of police personnel near a busy highway.

However, no untoward incidents were reported. In fact, the police later thanked the protestors after they dispersed peacefully.

Also spotted was a placard that called for a review of the agreement between the federal and state governments for the return of Sarawak oil's to the state.

Sarawak produces about one-third of the country's oil and is also one of the world's bigggest producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The protestors also channeled their anger towards the state-owned petroleum and gas giant, Petronas.

Rural folks affected

A similar demonstration was held later at Jalan Satok, another busy section of the capital. Here, motorists regularly honked in support.

Among the PKR leaders present was state liaison chief Wan Zainal Wan Sanusi and legal advisor Dominique Ng Kim Ho. Representing Snap was secretary general Stanley Jugol.

The protests came at the heels of news that residents in the state's rural areas were now paying 20 percent more for petrol, diesel and cooking gas, following the March 1 price hike.

Except several Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) leaders who spoke critically of the price hike, other state BN leaders had defended the move.