Taking to the streets: Protesters sitting in protest during the #TangkapAzamBaki rally at Jalan Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: A designated area should be set aside for those wanting to protest, so as not to disrupt the public, suggest some whose income was affected by yesterday’s rally.
Taxi driver Balbil Bhunda, 57, said he already expected a loss of income when he heard about the road closures due to the #TangkapAzamBaki protest.
“When I heard about the multiple road closures, I already expected it would affect my fares today.
“I have decided to wait it out,” he said, adding that the authorities should not resort to complete road closures.
Balbil’s income had been badly affected after e-hailing was introduced and now these road closures made it worse.
“How can I make ends meet if this continues?
“The authorities should allocate a place for protesters to express themselves without affecting others,” he said.
Major roads in Kuala Lumpur along with 25 LRT, MRT, Monorail and KTM stations were closed ahead of the rally.
Traders and staff at business premises along Jalan Bangsar also voiced their dismay over the #TangkapAzamBaki protest.
A motorcycle shop operator, who only wanted to be known as Lee, said he was forced to delay opening shop in Jalan Bangsar.
“With the sudden decision to hold the protest here and after police decided to close the roads it did not make sense for me to open as usual at 10am.
“I lost about two hours of business,” he said when met outside his shop.
Fast food delivery rider Samsudin Hasan, 43, said he had trouble getting to work due to the road closures.
“The road right in front of my place of work was closed. Usually, the premises is full of customers on weekends but today no one came,” he said.
