May Day anti-GST rally 2014 explained

The May Day Anti-GST Rally (Theme: "GST: Protest Till It's Dropped") was a rally held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 1, 2014. The rally was organised by a coalition of 89 non-governmental organisations, including Oppressed People's Network, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia, and Asalkan Bukan UMNO among others, and was supported by the opposition Pakatan Rakyat.[1] The rally, which coincided with International Workers' Day, was held in response to the Malaysian government's plan to introduce the goods and services tax on April 1, 2015.[2] The rally saw participants march from Kuala Lumpur City Centre and other rally points in the city to the eventual destination, Dataran Merdeka.

Background

Since the last general elections, the Malaysian government began to renege on many of their election promises by raising the prices over a broad scope of cost of living items to arrest the high budget deficit.[3] The Malaysian government then introduced legislation calling for the introduction of a 6% goods and services tax in 2015.[4] The protest organisers also objected to the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement between Malaysia and the United States, and pushed for greater women's, indigenous peoples', students' and migrants' rights, as well as an increase in the minimum wage.[5]

Participants

The Anti-GST Rally was supported by as many as 89 non-governmental organisations[6] and political groups, which are listed below in alphabetical order.

The rally was monitored by the Bar Council and Suhakam.[10]

1 May 2014 Declaration

The following Declaration (1 May 2014 Declaration) was read prior to the start of the rally.

"2014 is the year of protesting the GST, or the goods and services tax. The Barisan Nasional government has passed the GST Act despite the repeated objections of the rakyat to its implementation.

In Malaysia, only 15% of the rakyat are able to pay income tax, with over 38% of the population falling beneath the poverty line income of RM860 per month, and the implementation of the minimum wage of RM900 still being far from comprehensive.

Moreover, according to the Governor of Bank Negara, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, household debt in Malaysia is 83% of GDP—the highest in Asia—compared to Singapore at 67%, and Hong Kong at 58%. Given this dire situation, how will the rakyat fare if GST is implemented?

The GST will cause the price of all goods and services to increase, despite the Government’s justification that there are 40 essential items which will not be subject to price hikes. This is because every product will undergo processes of production or preparation before reaching the consumer—all of which are taxable under GST. Even if indirectly, this will result in consumers paying more for goods and services in the long run.

The rakyat of Malaysia, especially the workers who represent the 99%, will doubtless suffer as a result of GST, regardless of the Government’s spurious claims of its implementation being good for the country. The same pro-corporate Government that was able to reduce income tax from 40% in the 1980s to 26% today is now ready and willing to jeopardise the welfare of the rakyat with the burden of GST."

Additionally, a list of 15 demands were also read out at the beginning of the rally, which pertain to GST, the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), minimum wage policy, workers' union rights, women workers' rights, migrant workers' rights, privatisation of public services, media freedom, price of goods, students' rights, Orang Asal rights, environmental protection, affordable housing, and oppressive laws.

Pre-rally incidents

The Malaysian police claimed they would declare the Anti-GST Rally as illegal as the organisers did not obtain the necessary permission to hold the rally at Dataran Merdeka, and added that the site was undergoing upgrading works on the day.[12] [13] The organisers insisted that the rally would be held regardless, informing the police they would not cause any problems.[14] The police also advised the organisers to choose a different venue in the city, such as Stadium Merdeka or Padang Merbok.[15] [16]

Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor warned the protesters to stay clear of Dataran Merdeka,[17] while Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the protest organisers to adhere to the stipulations of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.[18] However, a ruling by the Appeals Court stated that any punishment given for failure to give notice to the authorities before a protest as stipulated in the Act was unconstitutional, meaning there should be no repercussions for any protesters taking part in the rally.[19]

Rally

It was estimated than between 15,000 and 50,000[20] people began gathering at several points in the city such as Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Sogo, Dataran Maybank and Jalan Raja Laut before proceeding to Dataran Merdeka.[21] The gathering was largely peaceful with no untoward incidents initially.[22] [23] Speeches were given by a number of NGO representatives, such as Bersih's Maria Chin Abdullah and her predecessor Ambiga Sreenevasan,[24] Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim,[25] and Mohamad Sabu were among Pakatan Rakyat leaders that give their political speech.[26] Most of the speeches hit out against the introduction of GST, and its potentially disastrous effects on the poorer sections of the Malaysian population.[27]

The president of Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) branded civil servants who took part in the rally as "traitors"[28] [29] who might lose their jobs as a result of their participation.[30] [31] Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan, meanwhile, termed the rally as inappropriate and that the introduction of GST would still proceed as planned.[32] [33]

Rally Incident

Clueless protestors

It was reported that a majority of the protesters were clueless on what they were protesting. A protester was noted to have said " I don't know what is GST. What I know is that it is a burden to the people.That's all I care, I don't care to know what is GST."[34] The acronym for GST itself was wrongly interpreted as "Government Service Tax" rather that "Goods and Service Tax".[35]

Attack on Media Personnel

A 100-strong group protesters which named themselves "Rejimen Anarki" and "Antifa" assaulted several media personnel on the scene.[36] The group, which mostly wearing black attire, cursed, kicked and punched several media photographers on duty.[37] A Malaysian Reserve photographer was also hurled with wooden stick. Some of their cameras were also broken.[38] General Secretary of Association of Malaysian Media Photographers (MPPA) condemned the attack. This has prompted the Minister of Communication and Multimedia, Dato' Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek to urged the public to respect the journalists' presence as they were merely doing their duty.[39] [40] [41] [42]

Hijacked by Pakatan Rakyat

An activist, Asiah Abd Jalil was deeply dampened when she alleged that the rally was being hijacked by Pakatan Rakyat even though the organisers were NGOs. She criticised Unit Amal PAS which forced the rally-goers to hear political speeches by their leaders and blocking access to Dataran Merdeka. She was also cynical, questioning whether Unit Amal PAS were the self-appointed "Demonstration Police".[43] Protestors were also seen pushing through Unit Amal PAS in the rally.[44]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: nicholas cheng . Organisers of anti-GST rally determined to converge at Dataran Merdeka - Nation | The Star Online . Thestar.com.my . 2014-04-21 . 2014-04-26.
  2. Web site: Tian Chua: May 1 anti-GST rally not organised by us . Free Malaysia Today . 2014-04-16 . 2014-04-26.
  3. News: Ramasamy . Manirajan . Malaysia's Najib Raises Fuel Prices to Trim Budget Gap . Bloomberg.com . Bloomberg . 2013-09-02 . 2014-04-26.
  4. Web site: What 6% GST means to Malaysians . My Sinchew . 2014-04-26.
  5. Web site: On May Day, trade unions to rally against GST, TPPA | Malaysia . The Malay Mail Online . 2014-04-18 . 2014-04-26.
  6. Web site: MAY DAY RALLY BUILDS UP, tens of thousands expected: Pay your own debts, don't BURDEN US - crowd tells Najib regime . Malaysia-chronicle.com . 2014-05-03.
  7. Web site: Bersih urges public to join May 1 rally . Free Malaysia Today . 2014-04-22 . 2014-04-27.
  8. Web site: Anti-GST rally planned for May 1 . En.harakahdaily.net . 2014-04-02 . 2014-04-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140426234251/http://en.harakahdaily.net/index.php/berita-utama/8742-anti-gst-rally-planned-for-may-1.html . 26 April 2014 . dead .
  9. News: Yen . Yong . Thousands rally in Malaysia against planned GST . The Straits Times . Straitstimes.com . May 2014. 2014-05-03.
  10. Web site: May Day rally organisers to disregard police ban | Malaysia . The Malay Mail Online . 2014-04-27.
  11. Web site: Malaysia . In GST and inflation, Pakatan hopes to snare the rural vote . The Malaysian Insider . 2014-04-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140427052447/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/in-gst-and-inflation-pakatan-hopes-to-snare-rural-vote . 27 April 2014 . dead .
  12. Web site: Perimbanayagam . Kalbana . May 1 anti-GST rally yet to obtain permit to carry out rally - Latest - New Straits Times . Nst.com.my . 2014-04-23 . 2014-04-27.
  13. Web site: m. kumar . May 1 anti-GST rally illegal, say cops - Nation | The Star Online . Thestar.com.my . 2014-04-23 . 2014-04-27.
  14. Web site: nicholas cheng . Organisers of anti-GST rally determined to converge at Dataran Merdeka - Nation | The Star Online . Thestar.com.my . 2014-04-21 . 2014-04-27.
  15. Web site: Cops want change of location for rally protesting GST on May 1 - Latest - New Straits Times . Nst.com.my . 2014-04-27.
  16. Web site: Cops want May Day anti-GST rally to change location | Malaysia . The Malay Mail Online . 2014-04-27.
  17. Web site: No Dataran Merdeka, FT minister tells anti-GST brigade | Malaysia . The Malay Mail Online . 2014-04-27.
  18. Web site: GST rally: Obey the law or face stern action, says Ahmad Zahid - Nation | The Star Online . Thestar.com.my . 2014-04-27.
  19. Web site: Nik Nazmi wins LANDMARK ruling: Peaceful assembly NOT a crime, Sec 9(5) of PAA unconstitutional . Malaysia-chronicle.com . 2013-05-05 . 2014-04-27.
  20. Web site: Malaysiakini . Malaysiakini . May 2014. 2014-05-01.
  21. Web site: Malaysia . Thousands listen as Anwar warns government the people are not afraid anymore . The Malaysian Insider . 2011-07-08 . 2014-05-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032515/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/may-1-rally-supporters-start-to-gather-for-protest-against-goods-and-servic . 2 May 2014 . dead .
  22. Web site: tan yi liang AND dina murad . Huge turnout as anti-GST rally ends peacefully - Nation | The Star Online . Thestar.com.my . 2014-05-01.
  23. Web site: At May Day rally, Pakatan touts protests as sign of healthy democracy | Malaysia . The Malay Mail Online . 2014-05-01.
  24. Web site: More than 15,000 at anti-GST rally . Free Malaysia Today . 2014-05-01.
  25. Web site: Anti-GST Rally Ends Earlier, As Some Violate Peaceful Assembly Act . Bernama . 2014-05-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155301/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1035122 . 2 April 2015 . dead .
  26. Web site: Malaysian . The . Thousands listen as Anwar warns government the people are not afraid anymore - MSN Malaysia News . News.malaysia.msn.com . 1999-12-31 . 2014-05-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502000101/http://news.malaysia.msn.com/tmi/thousands-listen-as-anwar-warns-government-the-people-are-not-afraid-anymore . 2 May 2014 . dead .
  27. Web site: Anti-GST rally: Pakatan, NGO leaders air grouses - Nation | The Star Online . The Star . 2014-05-01.
  28. Web site: Civil servants involved in GST protest gathering considered as traitors: Cuepacs - Latest - New Straits Times . Nst.com.my . 2014-05-03.
  29. Web site: Cuepacs chief lambasted for making threat | theSundaily . Thesundaily.my . 2014-05-03.
  30. Web site: Civil servants at anti-GST rally may face the axe – Ali – BorneoPost Online | Borneo, Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News | Largest English Daily In Borneo . Theborneopost.com . 3 May 2014. 2014-05-03.
  31. Web site: Civil servants involved in Anti-GST rally may face termination of service - Ali Hamsa . Astro Awani . 2014-05-03.
  32. Web site: Malaysia . Protest or no protest, GST starts next April, says deputy minister – Bernama . The Malaysian Insider . 2011-07-08 . 2014-05-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502094111/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/money-collected-from-gst-will-go-back-to-the-people-says-deputy-minister-be . 2 May 2014 . dead .
  33. Web site: Despite protests, govt will proceed with GST | theSundaily . Thesundaily.my . 2014-05-03.
  34. Web site: "Saya tak tahu apa maksud GST," Jelas Peserta Himpunan Bantah GST University News Capital . www.universitynewscapital.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140505001329/http://www.universitynewscapital.com/2014/05/saya-tak-tahu-apa-maksud-gst-jelas.html . 2014-05-05.
  35. http://says.com/my/news/62-rakyat-malaysia-bantah-gst-tapi-majoriti-tak-faham-mekanisma-gst
  36. Web site: FZ Malaysia Malaysia. Minor scuffle between SAMM, press after anti-GST rally. 2014-05-01. 2014-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020355/http://www.fz.com/content/minor-scuffle-between-samm-press-after-anti-gst-rally. 24 September 2015. dead.
  37. Web site: BNBBC. 29 August 2021.
  38. Web site: Polis akan dedah foto peserta Himpunan Anti-GST serang petugas media Astro Awani.
  39. Web site: Sekumpulan peserta perhimpunan Bantah GST serang jurufoto media Astro Awani.
  40. Web site: Perhimpunan anti-GST dicemari serangan ke atas jurugambar media - Theantdaily . bm.theantdaily.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150403013031/http://bm.theantdaily.com/Terkini/Perhimpunan-anti-GST-dicemari-serangan-ke-atas-jurugambar-media . 2015-04-03.
  41. Web site: MSN Malaysia . Geramm releases press statement on Anti-GST rally - MSN Malaysia News . News.malaysia.msn.com . 1999-12-31 . 2014-05-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002830/http://news.malaysia.msn.com/malaysia-news/geramm-releases-press-statement-on-anti-gst-rally . 2 May 2014 . dead .
  42. Web site: Peaceful rally marred by attack on press | theSundaily . The Sun Daily . 2014-05-01.
  43. http://www.anwaraidc.com/2014/05/kesal-perhimpunan-anti-gst-dihijacked-orang-politik/
  44. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Himpunan Bantah GST : Penyokong Serang Unit Amal PAS . YouTube.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "May Day anti-GST rally 2014".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.