A massive protest over the government's sharp fuel price hike will be taking place at the iconic Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) tomorrow afternoon.

"We expect a crowd of 5,000 to turn up with placards and banners," opposition Islamic party PAS leader Dr Hatta Ramli told malaysiakini.

"A lot of people are outraged and (Deputy Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak's) explanation over the television last night failed to dispel the anger," said Hatta.

He added that PAS has initiated the demonstration but other opposition political parties as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have joined in to mobilise the people to take part in the protest.

This include opposition parties Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), human rights group Suaram and citizens coalition Jerit (Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas).

PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and his counterpart in PKR, Dr Syed Husin Ali (right), are expected to be among the speakers at the protest.

"This is not a PAS affair. Everyone who are angry over the petrol hike should come," Hatta stressed.

He also urged the police to allow the people to exercise their right to assembly and "not to stir more anger among the people by cracking down on a peaceful demonstration".

Gathering begins at 2pm

He said it is significant that the protest is held at the KLCC's Twin Towers which is owned by national oil company Petronas and where its headquarters is located.

Protestors are told to gather at the KLCC compound adjacent to Jalan Ampang at 2pm. They are to be joined by others who expected to march from the KLCC mosque after Friday's prayer.

Meanwhile, the yet-to-be-registered PSM urged Malaysians in a statement today to "stop grumbling" about the fuel price hike and instead take their oppositions to the streets tomorrow.

"We call upon everyone to make the effort, take time out and express themselves by attending the protest along with thousands others," said the statement.

On Tuesday, the government hiked fuel prices between 18.5 percent and 23 percent in the latest round of increases.

In less than two years, the cost of petrol has gone up by 40 percent while diesel now cost 102 percent more.

Price hike 'reasonable'

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has defended the price hike by arguing that it was "reasonable" and that it would save the government RM4.4 billion by slashing its fuel subsidies.

The extra money could then be spent on improving public transportation as well as other development projects.

Meanwhile, Najib argued last night that if the current consumption rate of fuel remain unchecked, Malaysia would become a net importer of oil in four years.

Gerakan Youth wing, a component party within the BN ruling coalition, has also expressed its disappointment over the petrol hike in a hard-hitting statement yesterday.