Anti-GST rally in Penang illegal

PENANG - An anti-Good and Services Tax (GST) rally scheduled for Thursday in Penang is deemed illegal without a police permit, said Penang Police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi.

Abdul Rahim said he was aware of the street demonstration organised by a non-governmental organisation to urge the public to reject GST.

"We have not received any permit application from the organiser.

"Our district police personnel is ready to enforce public order should the rally proceed as planned," he said.

He declined to elaborate the number of policemen to be on deployed in the event the illegal rally is held.

Abdul Rahim was speaking to reporters after launching the state-wide crime prevention club in public schools at SMK Abdullah Munshi today.

The rally is organised by the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) Penang division.

A news portal reported that some 5,000 people are expected to join MTUC's members in the rally to scrap the implementation of GST next year.

State MTUC secretary K Veeriah said there was a need to bring up people's collective voice against GST in view of escalating cost of living.