May Day anti-GST rally 2015

The May Day Anti-GST Rally (Theme: "GST: Protest Till It's Dropped") was a rally held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 1, 2015. The rally was organised by a coalition of 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. The rally, which coincided with International Workers' Day, was held in response to the Malaysian government's rollout of the goods and services tax from April 1, 2015. The rally saw participants march from various points in Kuala Lumpur to their eventual destination, Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

Rally

About 20,000^[1] of protestors began gathering around Jamek Mosque and the National Mosque and started heading to Kuala Lumpur City Centre.^[2] Hundreds of protestors were wearing red “Batal GST” (Cancel GST) and KitaLawan (Our struggle) shirts.^[3]

It was reported during the rally there were youth agitators who were found to be letting off smoke bombs, burning rubbish and spray-painting graffiti on signboards and metal hoardings.^[4]

Other rallies

Other rallies were held in Penang and Sabah, where the turnout was around few thousands and a few hundred respectively.^[5][6]

Arrests

Opposition leaders Anthony Loke,^[7] Rafizi Ramli,^[8] Tian Chua^[9] were arrested for their involvement in the rally. Non-government organisation leaders such as Ambiga Sreenevasan and Hishamuddin Rais were also arrested.^[10] In total 59 people were arrested by the police for their involvement in the rally. The arrests were condemned by election watchdog Bersih, Human Rights Watch^[11] and Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.^[12]

References

1. "Ahmad Awang leads prayer to help smite GST". malaysiakini.com. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
2. "Thousands throng KL streets in anti-GST protest". themalaymailonline.com. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
3. "GST rally: Sea of red shirts flood KL by the thousands". freemalaysiatoday.com. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
4. "Arrest of rally youths a mere show, says PKR - The Malaysian Insider". web.archive.org. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
5. "1,000 turn up at Penang anti-GST rally - The Malaysian Insider". web.archive.org. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
6. "500 gather for Sabah May Day rally - The Malaysian Insider". web.archive.org. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
7. migration (1 May 2015). "59 arrested after thousands marched down Kuala Lumpur in rally against GST". straitstimes.com. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
8. "Rafizi, Hishamuddin Rais arrested over anti-GST rally - Nation - The Star Online". thestar.com.my. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
9. "Tian Chua arrested in Permatang Pauh - The Malaysian Insider". web.archive.org. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
10. "May 1 anti-GST rally protesters arrested". astroawani.com. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
11. "Workers Day arrests show Najib’s lack of legitimacy, says electoral watchdog - The Malaysian Insider". web.archive.org. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
12. "Suhakam: Release Anti-GST rally protesters immediately - Nation - The Star Online". thestar.com.my. Retrieved 19 June 2016.