The organiser of a rally to protest the government’s handling of inflation today vowed to carry on despite a stern warning from the police that the gathering would be illegal.

Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) secretary Dr Hatta Ramli said the rally tomorrow had to continue because organisers believed that it was their constitutional right to do so.

“We will proceed with the gathering and we’ll assure that, on our part, it will be peaceful,” he said when contacted today.

Protes hopes to gather some 3,000 people near the KLCC Twin Towers to protest against what the coalition claims to be the government’s failure to put a lid on inflation.

Yesterday, Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman warned that the police would take action against those participating in the rally under Section 27 (8) of the Police Act 1967.

Those found guilty under this law can be liable to a maximum RM10,000 fine and a maximum one-year jail term.

Organisers sent note

Zulkarnain however revealed that Protes had faxed a note to Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan to inform the police on the group’s intention to hold the rally.

“They did not apply for a permit for which they have to fill up certain forms,” he said, according to Bernama.

Zulkarnain added that police would cordon of roads leading to KLCC and Jalan Ampang from tomorrow morning onwards in a bid to thwart the rally.

Responding to this, Hatta said that the police should not prevent the people from publicly voicing their dissatisfaction.

“If they are stropping us from protesting against the government's inability to handle inflation, they are a tool of the government,” he added.