Some 50 people gathered in Jalan Pasar, Kuala Lumpur, this morning to protest the sharp hike in fuel prices which came into effect at the stroke of midnight.

The peaceful protest attracted a huge crowd of onlookers who cheered from the sidelines and many gave the thumbs up in approval.

Armed with a large banner condemning the price hike, the protesters marched 200 metres under the watchful eyes of some 20 police personnel, including members of the Light Strike Force.

The protesters, who were led by DAP parliamentarians, dispersed about an hour later at 12.10pm.

At a press conference later, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai warned the government that more protests, and possibly a bigger public outcry, can take place if the government does not review the price hike.

"Last night I received hundreds of phone calls from people telling me they are angered by the price hike. The people’s anger will reach the summit one day and it will be a nightmare for the government," he said.

'Prudent lifestyle'

The DAP leader said he expects the government to tell the people to adopt a more prudent lifestyle but added that it is nothing short of being "hypocritical."

"I give you one example. Last week, Federal Territories Minister (Zulhasnan Rafique), Kuala Lumpur Mayor (Abdul Hakim Borhan) and some 15 officers went on an expensive trip to Berlin, London and Vancouver.

"And the reason for the trip is simply to learn administrative matters. How can you tell the people to change their lifestyle when the wasteful lifestyle of the government is not changed?" he asked.

Tan also accused the government of "siphoning the people’s money for white elephant projects" like the Port Klang Free Zone when the money could have been used to help people cope with the price hike.

He also argued that the price hike will deter foreign direct investments as the inflation rate will multiply drastically.

"I have even received phone calls from developers who told me that they will stop their projects due to the unbearable costs they have to put up with due to the fuel price hike," he said.

According to Tan, the cash incentive programme announced by the government is also insufficient in helping the people to cope with the hike.

"We demand that the government place the price of fuel to its original state. The people have suffered enough already," he said.

Other DAP MPs present were Tan Seng Giaw, Lim Lip Eng, Fung Kui Lun, Janice Lee and Teresa Kok.

Petronas' profits

Kok demanded that the government disclose the accounts of national petroleum company Petronas so that the people can know how the profits are being spent.

In the last financial year-end report, Petronas recorded a profit of RM46.4 billion which was 7.7 percent higher than the year before.

Kok said the money should be spent to help the people cope with the price hike but to date, how the Petronas profits are being spent remains unknown.

On the other hand, Fung said while he understands that the fuel price hike is inevitable but the amount raised by the government is "too much."

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the pump price for petrol would increase by 78 sen - from RM1.92 to RM2.70 per litre.

The price of diesel increased by a whopping 63.3 percent - from RM1.58 per litre to RM2.58.

The price hikes were among government measures to drastically cut the spiraling bill for oil subsidies, which is expected to amount to RM56 billion this year.

After making the announcement, Abdullah also expressed hope that Malaysians would not demonstrate over the price hike.

More protests

Apart from the protest in Kuala Lumpur, DAP Perak also organised a similar protest in Ipoh this morning.

Tomorrow, Teratai MP Janice Lee will organise a protest at at Taman Muda Ampang in Kuala Lumpur.

Another protest will be held outside the Kampung Baru mosque after the Friday prayers. This is being organised by a Malay NGO called Ikrar.