Police: May 1 rally illegal

GEORGE TOWN: Police have considered the planned anti-GST (Goods and Services Tax) rally in Butterworth on Labour Day as illegal.
State police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said they did not receive any application for a permit to hold the rally from the organiser.
Speaking to reporters after launching a crime prevention programme at SMK Abdullah Munshi today, he said they were aware of the rally and was prepared to monitor it closely.
On Monday, the Penang chapter of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary K. Veeriah said he expected a 5,000 strong crowd at the two-hour event to voice the people's concerns against the tax which they felt would increase the cost of living.
The event, organised by MTUC, is scheduled to be held at the junction of Jalan Telaga Air and Jalan Siram from 10am.
Other issues Penang MTUC plans to raise are to call for a cost of living allowance (COLA) for private sector employees and to revise the minimum wage to RM1,500 a month.
A similar event will be held in Kuala Lumpur the same day.