Thousands protest against fuel price hike in Malaysia
More than 10,000 opposition-backed Malaysians gathered at a stadium in the area of Petaling Jaya to protest against price hikes of up to 41% for gasoline and 63% for diesel fuel in June by the Abdullah Badawi government, ignoring a warning by police, which called the demonstration illegal. Prominent opposition leaders, including Anwar Ibrahim, are expected to address the crowd. The protesters wearing red shirts inscribed with the word protest headed towards the stadium in the morning to hear opposition leaders’ address. Despite the huge crowd, only a few police patrol cars monitored the area. The federal police had banned the rally since the organizers had not sought permission to hold the gathering. (July 6, 2008)