For 16 consecutive years, Labour Day celebrations had been held at the Dataran Merdeka. This year, the police decided no more. Three ghoulish letters G-S-T must have freaked them out. But as always, there's a valid reason from the authorities.

From The Star Online:

“We cannot allow them to gather here because they had no permit. It was a wrongful gathering,” he (Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman) said.

Yeah right.

For 16 consecutive years, hundreds would show up in solidarity over some form of labour oppression, say their piece, and go home. Peace out. They would cross the same streets, wear coordinated T-shirts, carry banners, and it would be fine. This year, it's no longer fine. There's something to be said about this whole 'Performance Now' thingie.

Well, tell her this year it's not on.

Tell her to take her grievances about the GST, minimum wage and more humane maternity leave to some cave somewhere, and go sit on it.

And she and her friends will tell you this: BANTAH GST.

Loud and clear.

Tell it to the 500-strong who showed up Saturday that it's okay to gather and throw slippers at Tony Blair, but not when you're talking about the GST.

And they will respond with this.

Bantah GST.

Tell it to the five bus-loads of proud Malaysians who traveled all the way from Ipoh that this whole GST thing is about to be tabled for second hearing in Parliament, and that they can't do jack about it.

And they will ask you, macha, how about first making sure everyone gets a decent life?

And until you do, Bantah GST.

Advocates of the GST assert that the proposed tax will benefit businesses, government and consumers despite proceeding from as low as 4 per cent, a lower rate compared to the current sales and service tax.

Protes and other detractors of the GST, however, allege that the tax, when implemented, will be burden primarily low-income earners. They also allege that the government has not been serious in tackling corruption and wastage of taxpayers’ resources, without which the GST would not be needed.

Saturday's rally was also a call for gender equality. They stood in solidarity on a steaming tarmac at the KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall after plans to assemble at Dataran Merdeka had to be aborted.

They came in all shapes and sizes.

Everyone sweated buckets.

And when it came time to replenish fluids and calories, there was goodwill and sharing.

It wasn't about comfort, and it certainly wasn't about Haagen Dazs. Local was in.

The nearest hip air-conditioned mall was 15 minutes away in an air-conditioned SUV; heaven to the apathetic mainstream consumer.

Yet who's to say such rallies are only attended by the frustrated poor? On Saturday, the sophisticated stood solidly alongside the marginalised in their common message for May Day.

Together they said: Hidup Rakyat. Bantah GST.

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shakuntala  - Forward March Malaysia |2010-05-12 14:35:41 This is the true Malaysia,rallying round the flag, we all get along so well, spontaneously, minus the dirty tactics to divide us, meted out by a government... as old as the hills. Waiting to be driven out, by the people. Come G13.Your days are numbered! This absurd government called BN and UMNO poisoned, is getting jittery each day, because its days are numbered. Malaysians can unite...they know more today than they did 10-years ago and they will not fail their special Spirit which is urging them to come to the defence of their country. They have woken up to the call that this is MY COUNTRY,MY CULTURE,MY PEOPLE. Malaysians now have grit, gumption and guts to topple this government come GE13. They just can't wait. After years of persuasion, this person has succeeded in opening the eyes of one of her dearest friends, who whenever asked if she was registered to vote, pooh poohed the suggestion. A few days ago, this friend said of her own accord that she would go with me to the post office, to get registered to vote. There was absolute resolve when she made up her mind.With a promise. If you count heads of persons who did not want to register and were finally persuaded, you can tell that the truth is slowly marching on..that Malaysians are realizing...that this country's future is also dependant upon even one person's vote. Because the vote is :P so precious... Bravo, whoever wrote the above piece and provided appropriate pictures to boost the Spirit....wonderful photo journalism!

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