A Friend Arrested At KLCC

I am in shocked that one of those arrested at the KLCC demonstration is a friend who I knew from London Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad. We were in London together, I was doing my first degree and he was completing his Phd. He is one of the nicest and harmless person I know.

It saddens me when I saw the picture in Malaysiakini and Harakah daily of Dzulkifli with Mat Sabu being 'escorted' by the police. To arrest someone like Dzulkifli is uncalled for.

He is such a nice guy that I remember his house is always open to anyone. We used to call his house at London Bridge, the London Hotel. I hope that he will be freed immediately, and no charges should be brought against him.

You can read the Malaysiakini story here and the Harakahdaily story here.

With Or Without Demonstration, Govt Should Take Heed

I do not know if the demonstration scheduled today (Saturday, 26 January) will take place as planned. The demonstration organised by Coalition Against Inflation (PROTES) is to protest against the government's failure to control inflation. Police have issued several warnings for people to stay away from the demonstration.

The report in Malaysiakini says that the organiser vowed to carry on despite a stern warning from the police that the gathering would be illegal.

Read the Malaysiakini report here.

Whether the demonstration goes ahead or not, the government should realise that most Malaysians are feeling the pinch of the rising prices of goods. Inflation is rising and the government does not seem to have a clue on how to remedy this.

We need more measures than merely stock piling goods. The economy should be better managed. With the elections coming, it is more urgent for the government to control inflation.

The fact that a demonstration is being planned shows that there is discontent among the rakyat with the present government handling of the economy. It is sort of a warning that the government should heed, if it does not they will see the consequences at the ballot box.