KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Many protesters at today’s May Day rally in the city share one thing in common – soaring living costs have placed them under financial pressure.

One disabled protester Jenny Shariff said she joined the rally to protest the Goods and Services Tax (GST) because the new tax system is an added burden to her already expensive medical fees.

“I am here like the rest to protest GST, it adds burden for me,” said the 52-year-old, who is currently based in Sepang.

Her husband, who wanted only to be known as Nazri, echoed her view.

“GST is really bad, we are also living in poor condition,” he said.

One man said he was fed up with the government imposing additional taxes on Malaysians, especially since as a Muslim, he already needs to fork out money for “zakat”.

“It is unfair for poor people. And for the Muslims? We need to pay zakat, we pay twice. Whereas the leaders live in great wealth,” Ibrahim Yusof said.

A law student who only wanted to be known as Felicia said she the GST has posed an added strain on her finances.

“My participation might not make a difference today. But I want to do it for me, for my friends and for my family. At the very least,” said the 23-year-old.

Among the thousands who attended the massive protest, there was also a clear display of anger against Putrajaya, with some protesters saying the only way to put an end to the GST is by changing the government.

Two salesmen, Lai Wen Loong and Sam Wong told Malay Mail Online that it was not likely that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government would decide to cancel the new consumption tax system that was rolled out on April 1.

“No, unless they (BN government) fall,” Lai, 38, said.

“This (the protest) is the only way. We have been participating in all anti-GST rallies,” Wong said.

Homemaker Suat Meay had a different view, however. The 43-year-old said the implementation of the GST was the biggest problem as although the consumption tax is a “good system”, Putrajaya had failed to explain it to the public.

“The government don’t take care of Malaysians. Actually the GST is a good system but they didn’t carry it out properly, it’s not supposed to be this way and not now.

“Everyone who attended their seminars will know. They can’t even answer our questions. We have to keep on fighting . If we don’t fight we wouldn’t know,” she said.

The rally by civil society movement #KitaLawan kicked off shortly after 2.30pm this afternoon from several meeting points and drew a reported crowd of nearly ten thousand participants to the streets of the capital.