The protesters holding banners and placards to protest against the increasing prices of goods.
KOTA KINABALU: A group of eight people carrying placards and banners, protested against the increasing prices of goods at the junction near Centre Point along Jalan Coastal here yesterday.
However, the peaceful protest ended with the arrival of police around 11.45 am.
The protest, believed to be carried out by members of the TURUN movement, was over several issues, including the price hike of petrol, electricity, toll, sugar, school bus fares, property assessment, water and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Acting city police chief Superintendent M. Chandra said the gathering was conducted in a peaceful manner and the police were successful in controlling the situation by dispersing the group.
He said the police would investigate the incident under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
“Based on initial information, the individuals had gathered around the area at 11.15am and were dispersed by the police at 11.45am,” he said, adding that the police were still identifying whether the protesters were university students.
Chandra reminded the public to obtain a permit from the police to hold any assembly to avoid action being taken against them.
“We do not want them to have an assembly that could disrupt traffic and public order,” he said.