Rural Poverty — The Central Issue

Fuemsso News Service (3-2-75) states that the central issue which sparked off the massive demonstration is the problem of rural poverty. Despite the government-inspired blackout in the mass media over peasant demonstrations in Baling, the students have succeeded in making the whole country aware of the plight of peasants. A concerted attempt is thus being made by government to discredit the student movement. Both the communist bogey and the racial divide-and-rule tactics are being resorted to. As well, ministers and apologists of the Government continue to give misinformation on the question of rural poverty.