KUCHING: The lacklustre response to the ‘Walk Against 20 Sen Petrol Price Hike’ here last Saturday is not because Sarawakians are not concerned about the matter.
Assistant Minister of Social Development (Youth) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who said this, reasoned that the failure of the demonstration was because the public did not agree with certain Opposition leaders politicising the issue.
“I fully believe that everyone is concerned with the price hike, whether they support Barisan Nasional (BN) or the Opposition.
“The failure of the demonstration is not because the public is not concerned, but more because the public do not agree with Opposition parties and leaders politicising the matter,” he said when contacted yesterday.
An Internet news portal, in a recent report, had suggested that the poor response was because Sarawakians supported the 20 sen price hike for RON95 petrol and diesel, which took effect early this month.
Based on previous news reports, the demonstration organisers had expected more than 200 people to show up for the peaceful walk, which started from Wisma Hopoh area to Padang Merdeka.
However, only about 30 people marched under the scorching heat and carrying banners demanding lower petrol price. They also voiced their dissatisfaction over the effects of the fuel price hike on rural Sarawakians.
Although the organisers had stated that the demonstration involved only non-government organisations (NGOs), the presence of Opposition leaders was a strong indication that it was supported by Opposition parties.
State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen showed up for a while at Wisma Hopoh, while several state PKR leaders, including its Wanita leader Nurhanim Hanna Mohksen joined the walk.
Some of the opposition leaders also promoted the demonstration through the social media network.
Commenting further, Abdul Karim, who is also PBB supreme council member and Asajaya assemblyman, said there seemed to be attempts by the Opposition to paint an adverse picture of the price hike on the government and BN.
“The government is also concerned (about this matter), but whenever the Opposition comes in the picture, they tried to paint an adverse picture on the government and BN.
“This is why the public does not want to be seen as supportive of their action, including the publicity stunt by the Opposition through this walk,” said Abdul Karim.
Meanwhile, Abib Ismail who acted as the organising chairman, was quoted as saying that the demonstration was the first of their planned activities to get the government to reduce fuel prices.
“We will organise more activities and call on more people to come forward to send this message to the government,” he said in an Internet news portal report.
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