Sep 06, 2012

AMMAN -- Around 70 Jordanians took part in a rally on Thursday to thank His Majesty King Abdullah for freezing a government decision to increase the prices of fuel.

Late last Friday, the Cabinet decided to raise the prices of 90-octane gasoline by 10 per cent from JD0.70 per litre to JD0.77, and the price of diesel 6 per cent from JD0.515 per litre to JD0.550. The price of 95-octane gas, which used to be sold at JD1 per litre, also went up by 1.5 per cent or 15 fils.

The King, however, directed Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh to freeze the decision on Sunday, and the Cabinet did so at its meeting the next day.

Participants in Thursday's rally gathered at Al Hussein Park at 3:00pm, adorning their cars with Jordanian flags and photos of King Abdullah, and then drove to the Royal Court and back while playing patriotic songs.

Jihad Shaikh, one of the rally's organisers, said a group of young Jordanians had organised the event to express gratitude to the King for freezing the price hike.

"His Majesty's decision was a victory for all Jordanians," he said, adding that they planned to hand the Royal Court a letter thanking King Abdullah.

Ameed Madani, who took part in Thursday's event, noted that the government decision would have hurt people financially.

"The timing was not suitable because many families had to meet the expenses of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and the new school year. Also, prices of all products would have increased significantly. Jordanians received His Majesty's decision with jubilation," he said.

Munir Nimat, a university student, said the government's decision was a nightmare for students in particular.

"Public transportation prices would have increased and we would have been severely affected because students use public transport daily," the 20-year-old added.

Yousef Sawaf, who took part in Thursday's event, said the participants also planned to go to the Interior Ministry Circle in Amman in protest against what he called "soft security".

"Some parties chant inappropriate slogans when they demonstrate. The Public Security Department must react," he told The Jordan Times.

© Jordan Times 2012