(Perak, Saturday): The people’s protest against the BN Government’s hike in taxes, goods and services must succeed if not more prices increase will be expected next year. People can expect further petrol price increase in 2007 and the implementation of compulsory health insurance in 2008. The leaflets distributed by us clearly explain why the water, petrol, diesel, quit rent, assessment rates, land registration fees and the
intended electricity tariff hikes by the BN Government are indiscriminate and not justified (see leaflet attached).

This morning’s gathering is supposed to be a gathering of representatives from various organizations, associations, NGOs and political parties. Unfortunately the police refused to grant the permit for such a gathering. We are increasing  becoming a police state where the police dictate what we can and cannot do. The right to peaceful gathering which is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution has been taken away.

The role of the police is to maintain law and order. They must not interfere in the political  rights of the politicians and the people to articulate and express their views. This nation must be led by politicians elected by the people and not by the police. We must be vigilant as the BN Government through the police force is making this nation a police state. Even peaceful gatherings of the people to protest against price hike are not allowed.

In view of the clamp down on the media with the directives not to give prominence to the protests of the people against BN Government’s price hike and the order to the police not to allow protest gatherings, it has become all the more urgent that every citizen be involved in ensuring that there is still space for the freedom of expression. I call on all the people to help debunk the lies and propaganda of the BN Government that the price hikes are unavoidable by helping the DAP distribute as many of our leaflets as possible so that people will be educated on the actual factual situation and not be misled by BN’s propaganda.

We must stop the BN’s agenda to form an oppressive  autocratic state.