UNDERGRADUATES are protesting to pressure the government to address cost of living issues and not for any opposition party, students’ groups said.

While some of the students wings in the movement are affiliated to political parties, the students said they are not influenced by politics.

Demokrat UKM spokesman Syed Zuliqbal Syed Abd Halim said the movement is only to ensure that the public get a fair deal.

“We are not influenced by any opposition parties,” Syed Zuliqbal told The Malaysian Insight.

“However, we do have among us the student wings of a few political parties, such as Mahasiswa Keadilan Malaysia and Mahasiswa Roket. But in no way are we supported by the opposition.”

Syed Zuliqbal said the student bodies do not want another govt task force to fight inflation, but a clear policy change.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced a special team, led by Annuar Musa, to wage “jihad against inflation”.

Other ministers on the team are Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Economic Affairs Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Ronald Kiandee, and Domestic Trade And Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Opposition lawmakers have criticised the move, saying politicians are not qualified for such a task.

Syed Zuliqbal, meanwhile, said that while the students understand that soaring pricesare caused by inflation, the government must come up with a better plan to address the problem.

“We will continue to push the government. It may be in the form of a protest or a memorandum,” he said.

He said rallies are necessary to pressure the government to act quickly to resolve the pressing issue.

“We want the government to hear the people’s grouses,” Syed Zuliqbal said.

Last week, about 200 students and members of civil society groups staged a protest at the Central Market in Kuala Lumpur.

Syed Zuliqbal said the protesters share a common cause in their desire for lower prices of goods.

 He said the group plans to send a memorandum to the MPs before the start of the parliamentary session.

“Our most recent meeting produced some great insights in regard to this problem even if we were intimidated by the police.

“However, many were brave enough to #Turun to give their suggestions on what can be done to alleviate some of the pressure felt by students and the community,” he said. – July 9, 2022.