About 50 DAP, Keadilan, PAS and NGO representatives gathered in front of Komtar at 10.30 this morning to protest against the petrol hike. There was a strong Police presence to make sure the protesters do not step out of bound.

When a police officer tried to disperse us 10 to 15 minutes into the protest, I reminded him that the IGP had just told police chiefs about the human rights of the people. I asked him to be mindful and allow us sufficient space to exercise our rights to tell the government that we do not support the price hike.

I believe the government is very concerned about the feelings expressed by the people. Such protest meetings should be held throughout the country, whether in cities, towns or kampongs.

I criticized Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon for acting like a “pak turut” and accused him of not understanding the people’s feelings.

We are angry with Tsu Koon for saying the price hike is reasonable. He has been busy the last few days trying to capitalize on the fact that the RM4.4 billion saved would be used to improve public transport system in the country. Tsu Koon sounded so unconvincing and no wonder Gerakan Youth deputy chairman Lim Si Ping issued a strongly worded statement against the petrol hike.

What the government is missing out is the impact of the petrol hike on the economy and the ability of the economy to respond to the price hike.

Just wait and see and we should know the answer in the next few months.

We stopped by a coffee shop for breakfast after the protest. I paid RM2.00 for my wan tan me soup but the lady told me it is RM2.20 now.

Tsu Koon, is this reasonable?