Thousands of supporters - many in red T-shirts and headbands - streamed into the Kelana Jaya stadium since early morning to join in the anti-oil hike protest with the programme kicking off with speeches by several political leaders.

The rally was organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) and its chairperson Dr Hatta Ramli kick-started the slew of speeches this morning.

protes fuel price hike rally mppj stadium 070708 15 "The people are just the pawn for the taukeh in the government," said the PAS leader, drawing cheers from the strong crowd dressed in red for show of support.

Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu added a new twist to the word sodomy in his speech by saying that "the people of Malaysia have been ‘sodomised' by the BN government for 50 years now".

"How can they increase fuel prices at 78 sen in one go? Even people who are not classified as poor are feeling the difficulty," he questioned to cheers of agreement.

"I am not saying the BN government is stupid but I am saying they are not smart in managing the nation and the economy," he added.

The zealous crowd cheered to loud chants of ‘reformasi', ‘makkal sakti' and ‘hidup rakyat' as the speeches were delivered.

protes fuel price hike rally mppj stadium 070708 14Irene Fernadez, executive director of women's rights group Tenaganita, ticked off the government, arguing that it was afraid of the people.

"Government has given their instructions. Who is afraid? The government or the people? The police give their instructions? Who is afraid? The police or the people?" she asked enthusiastically.

"I have meet mothers who have had to sell their bodies to support their children (because of the rising cost of living). Altantuya, a mother and daughter, was murdered," she said.

Democracy has been compromised

Continuing her speech in Tamil, she said: "The government is closing the people's eyes. They increase prices but the pay is low. The BN is holding onto power through injustice."

Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng said that "democracy has been compromised where democratic institutions are not neutral".

protes fuel price hike rally mppj stadium 070708 17"Democracy needs to be saved by the people because it failed under the Barisan Nasional."

Batu MP Tian Chua, Parti Sosialis Malaysia's S Arutchelvam, Kapar MP M Manikavasagam and Hindraf coordinator S Jayathas were among the batch of leaders present this morning.

Top leaders which includes Lim Kit Siang and Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim are slated to speak at 8.30pm.

The protest is scheduled to go until midnight and supporters are set to be entertained with musical performances and poetry reading.

Police presence is not heavy upon press time as policemen are hardly seen at the scene. But police officers were present at the Kelana Jaya LRT station and bus terminal.

At about 3pm, a police helicopter was seen hovering over the stadium.


PHOTO GALLERY of Kelana Jaya demo