In anticipation of a gloomy 2014, demonstrators take to the streets in Kuala Lumpur tonight to protest the rising cost of living as a result of the government's austerity measures.
The New Year’s Eve protest, organised by a coalition of NGOs led by Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), will see participants gathering at three meeting points - Sogo Shopping Complex at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Pasar Seni and Masjid Jamek.
They will then march to Dataran DBKL before proceeding to the adjacent Dataran Merdeka where the Kuala Lumpur City Hall is organising a New Year's concert.
The authorities have accused protest organisers of planning to overthrow the government and police have branded the rally "illegal".Police claim to have intelligence that dangerous weapons and bombs will be present at the demonstration but protest organisers have vehemently denied this.
Turun chief Mohd Azan Safar said the government was attempting to distract attention from the cost of living issues, which is the focus of the protest.
LIVE REPORTS
7.35pm, Dataran Merdeka - The crowd for the New Year 2014 countdown has begun to gather on the field opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad building where a stage has been set up. The event organisers are preparing for a concert, which is expected to kick off at 8pm.Police personnel are few and far in between and the entrance into Dataran Merdeka from the direction of Sogo, one of the gathering points for protesters, remains open to access.
However, some 50 DBKL (City Hall) officers are camped near the intersection of Dataran Merdeka and Jalan Tun Perak.
7.40pm, Sogo - More than 200 people have gathered in front of the shopping complex. Most of them appear to be PAS members and they perform their maghrib prayers in front of the mall.7.45pm, Central Market - No obvious signs of protestors within the vicinity yet but there are several traffic police personnel spotted, along with one patrol car. The place is still teeming with tourists.
7.50pm, Dataran DBKL - The weather is cloudy and breezy. Low rumblings from the sky could be heard and rain appear likely later tonight.
The site here, where protesters from the three meeting points will march to before proceeding to Dataran Merdeka, remains open to the public.
Only a few of DBKL (City Hall) officers are spotted along the edges of the square. A handful of protesters, clad in black, have also gathered here instead of the designated meeting points.
8.05pm, Sogo - A group of students from had made their way from Kelantan to be part of the rally because they believe that the recent rise in cost for essential goods to be an injustice.
"We came here because we want to uphold justice. We are here to defend the rights of the people," says student Aziz Afiq Abdul.
There is minimal presence within the vicinity of the mall while the protestors are slowly trickling in.
Sources from http://www.malaysiakini.com
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