Anwar during his speech
Post event Press conferenceSultan Sulaiman club in the heartland of Urban Kampung. Its a historical ground indeed. In no way demeaning, the Kampung here is Kampung Bharu, a truely rural village in an urban setting!
Flushed with historical structures, Kampung Bharu thrives on its Malay heritage, and Sultan Sulaiman club is no different. Having played its role in the past , Sultan Sulaiman Club came to the fore again last night.
Anwar Ibrahim's Parti KeAdilan Rakyat had a mammoth gathering, both to thank it's supporters as well as to 'commemorate' his incarceration from society, more accurately UMNO, which also marks his return to active politics. The rally also saw PKR's elected Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen who showed up in what is possibly, PKR's strongest show of strength. The crowd grew steadily and had swelled to almost 20,000 when Anwar arrived. Chegu Bard, the Rembau candidate who lost to Khairy Jamaludin was the emcee of the night, leading the crowd to thunderous shouts of 'reformasi', a cry familiar to PKR die hards during Anwar's days of detention.
Not having earlier known about what the rally was all about, I covered it in hope to get good footages for myblog-tv. YB Azmin Ali, opened the proceedings, before YB Datuk Seri Wan Azizah made her short address, followed by YB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, The Menteri Besar of Selangor. Khalid saw it fit to recite the poetry Rajawali, by renowned Indonesian poet, WS Rendra. The poetry, a metaphor, which portrays the 'Rajawali', a majestic bird, with its vision of grandeur in the sky, will strike upon those who caged it up denying its rightful claim of flight!
And aptly, Khalid introduced Anwar who later tantalised the crowd with more of the UMNO spectacle. Anwar also went further in stating that PKR-DAP-PAS Pakatan Rakyat, will soon form the next government, if not in June, in July, and if not, in August, clearly a sign that he has already gotten the support from elected representatives from the ruling party! Or is it?
Not given the chance to close his speech, OCPD of Dang Wangi moved in to 'advice' the organisers to stop the event for fear of crowd trouble. Reportedly, the Police cited an even larger group of about 20000 people outside the premises as the problem. To loud jeers from the crowd, Anwar then made his concluding remarks.
In the post event press conference, he also touched on the need to rebuke Tun Mahathir's recent attacks on him, asserting that Tun Mahathir had a personal agenda, one of which was to push Najib ahead as the next Prime Minister. Anwar also cited Tun's decision to pay a famous corrupt lobbyist on Capitol Hill to get meetings with Bush (senior) as an example of Tun's misdeeds.
Anwar said that his decision to out Mahathir was due to the recent unfounded attacks on him, one of which was to accuse Anwar of being a Jewish Agent.
Anwar was asked when he will enter Parliament to which he replied that the priority was to manage the 5 states that are in the hands of Pakatan Rakyat as incorruptible, financially sound states and to fulfill their election manifesto, as well as ensuring a strong People's Alliance, before seeing the opportunity to negotiate with elected representatives who subscribe to the Alliance's principles and ideas in order to form a strong government. He also stated that his personal agenda of pursuing a seat in Parliament as not a priority.
When asked if the People's Alliance can already form the government, he gave his personal view of needing a comfortable majority (to form a government) in order to make sweeping changes in policies. When asked if the next DPM will be a Sabahan, Anwar said that it is for the next government to decide by consensus.
Reiterating that the Pakatan's principles of good governance, he asserted that there are no monetary offers to any elected reps who wish to cross over. He also made clear that the Alliance has rid itself off all UMNO endemics when asked if his party members who were previously strong UMNO stalwarts, would instill the UMNO culture of Politics through business.
On touching the issue of electoral violations with the help from the Electoral Commission, he cited the basic flaws of the commission, the last minute exclusion of indelible ink, the use of postal votes, and the need to still review the means.
Wan Azizah was also asked if she would be ready to be the first woman prime Minister, to which she replied she was ready, however the decision is that of consensus by nature, and one that the Alliance will decide on.
Perhaps the most striking statement from Anwar, was that "Pakatan Rakyat is now ready".
Ready or not, perhaps the next thing to watch out for is the swearing in of Parliament. Until then both sides are still playing this cat and mouse game.
(other reports here, boston globe, ABC Australia, myblog-tv)
11 comments:
Bro ... tosay that 20k came is over exagerated.
Quite familiar with organising event there. Capacity is 15k. Last night ws not filled to the brim. Frankly at best 10k.
Great entertaining speech but having followed reformasi closely since 1997, nothing new. PPor on fact but great on promises, feel good and to lepas geram.
As far his vision of governing the 5 state, don't you hear it's still sound like BN? Realise he still defended the Malay articles like 152, 153 and language?
I saw him trying to rouse the crowd for a Reformasi II confrontation.
Note his psyching of the crowd that he is changing Government. At the end he said it takes some tiem and maybe we allow Kak Wan be PM first ...
What do you aspect from PM of Israel?
as for the numbers, judging from the standing space, I will say its close to 20k, but numbers are not really important.
What is? Anwar is crying out for support, and of course, who else can show that but for his PKR supporters?
As for his style, there really isn't any other, and it does seem that he is bent in still trying to convince Malays that he is not ditching them.
But in the true search for a true Malaysian Identity, perhaps, if seen from the outside, the Malays would be 'giving' up their privileges.
If one was to take a look at the 'privileges', do real Malays really enjoy them? Think again....
As for Anwar & Israel? Your guess is as good as mine. Play that card if one wishes to, but lets not forget, Tun in his days of Government had Jewish advisors too.(That does not mean they are Zionist)
I agree with you `a voice'. I wonder why peoples r worshiping `him'. remember...He was kicked by UMNO` if not???? Gov. to be changed but not lead by him.Pleaaaas! Many candidates out there can lead `MALAYSIAN' not only him.Ask him, which one comes 1st the Nation or to BALAS DENDAM? How to look after the nation man!!!
OPPOSITION TO FORM A GOVERNMENT??? I think this is wishful thinking by Anuar. He may have a honeymoon period in politics - just as Pak Lah did 2 GE ago. However, by the time the next election comes about all the failings in PKR, DAP and PAS and/or their fragile coalition will show. The opposition's improved performance in the last GE is an outcome of the ruling party's weaknesses rather than the opposition's strength (hence the surprise). The win just gives time for the opposition to show the people who they truly are - a coalition of convenience who’s only shared vision is to topple the current government.
Between themselves there are (1)no common/shared vision (PAS has its own Islamic agenda, PKR is a secular party and the DAP is fully for secularism and terminating the recognition of the special position of the Malays);(2)too big egos existing within the coalition (all party heads will want to be the Big Head); (3) all parties in the coalition are equal (too much equality can be bad).
Are the opposition so naive as to think that BN is so weak that it will just crumble in the next election???
The BN is not only a political giant but also an economic powerhouse. On top of that - how many Malay voters now (after seeing the result of the GE)think that they have made a mistake especially after seeing the lack of consideration for the Malays (by the DAP) and realizing the erosion of the Malay political power? And how long will this coalition of convenience of the opposition last???
I am a supporter of any party that champions Malay rights (and so UMNO by default) for one reason - that they are the champions of the Malay rights and are the bastion of Malay political power. Because of them - a Malays today can still say "INI TANAH MELAYU". Does any other political party dare to say that they are the champions of Malay rights??? If some other party dares to do this - I will consider them as an alternative.
For that reason alone - all Malays should and must support UMNO. Whether the leadership is weak or you do not like or agree with the leader - do not forget the struggle and the vision of the party. Support and embrace the struggle and not the person.
If true - dishonesty or nepotism or other real causes of dissatisfaction in UNMO exists within the leadership - things will, in its natural course change. It may take time but it will happen sooner or later. There is no perfect person and this world is not perfect. Learn to accept that.
There is another reasons for my support - History tells us if a majority race is sidelined and lack behind in economic and/or political arena, the consequences are devastating. Look at the anti Chinese riots in Indonesia, similar riots in Burma (now Myanmar) in the past just to name a few. There are many other examples.
For those who do not share my views, please take a trip to Jakarta or any part of Indonesia and go to the malls (high end) and restaurants. You will see that generally only tourists and Chinese are able to afford to shop or eat there.
If Jakarta is too far - then I suggest you go to any mall in Malaysia and count the number of Chinese owned businesses to the Malay businesses. Compare the size of their shops. Ask yourself - where lies the economic power in Malaysia??
Also take a little time to look at the new housing developments (middle class and above) and ask the developer - how many Malay buyers are there?? I am confident that they will say that it is much less than 50%.
Then ask yourself what would have happened if the Malays do not have the political dominance when all these are happening in spite of the Malays having political dominance. What if the Malays lose it?? Will tere be riots??? Are we prepared to risk that??
So to all my fellow Malays - I believe one should embrace the struggle and not the man/person. If you truly believe in secularism and equal rights - then no one (especially not me) will stop you from embracing the opposition. But think of the consequence of your support and future votes to those Malays who will feel their effects. The playing field is not level and do not let the ideas of equal rights influence your view of the real world.
To my non Malay friends, this comment is not intended to be anti Chinese or anti Indian. It is meant to highlight the dangerous consequence of the majority (Malays) being sidelined in economic and political arena.
The course I choose is the lesser of the two evils - to be labeled as unfair to the advantage of one race or to risk instability. I would rather take the earlier.
And TDM was the actual PM when the Israelis were playing cricket in this country.
anonymous, you still still don't get it do you? you go on and on about Malay rights and then you talk about how the world has no equal rights and some 'races' are subjected to an unequal playing field.
If there are no equal rights in the world, then what's this about Malay rights?
I admit to being Chinese, but I have no delusions about my race or feeling elite simply because or a stupid classification of culture and heritage.
At the end of the day, I'm going to succeed in the world because of my own abilities and my determination to face the challenges ahead of me. Nothing in my IC or biography that mentions me being chinese is really going to help me if I don't make the effort to succeed as well.
I have no gripe against malays nor any race for that matter. In fact I am supportive of the NEP and any affirmative action where it helps create more opportunities and choices for those who are lagging behind in development.
However it is people like you I despise. People who think you are more special than someone else simply because you were born into it. People who spout your 'ketuanan' shit and how you deserve this and that.
Wake up.
At the end of the day, you still eat shit sleep and die like any other person in this world. You are only human.
If you feel the need to be recognized, succeed based on your substance, not your skin color.
If you want to know why the Chinese seem to have all the economic power its not because their race gives them some special powers to generate money, its because of people like you who spend their time bitching about their situation rather than making an effort to improve it.
That is all.
a voice: After trying to dismiss anwar's rhethotics as political theatre, you do exactly the same by calling him the PM of Israel.
Did you know that the pride of The Mighty Tun - The Twin Towers - was designed by a JEWISH architect? So what does that make The Mighty Tun? A Zionist conspirator?
Anon: Ini Tanah Melayu. . . sigh . . . its always the anonymous fookers innit? Keep harping on that issue la. Even use some clown prince to say it but a whole generation of MALAYSIANS no longer buy that shite! Even Malays realise that UMNO's way is Tanah Kroni. The Malays in Penang have said they actually stand a better chance at winning some govt contract with DAP at the helm rather than BN.
So keep fooling yerself into thinking that the rakyat has realised they have made a mistake. Yer ignorance & outmoded thinking will be yer downfall. . .
Anwar? I don't support him, though I have covered his PCs and meetings. That is because, I want to report it as it is.
I certainly do not support him to be the next PM, as I feel that he's also to blame for many policies that he helped implement during his time as Education Minister, and DPM.
I am for a Malaysia for Malaysians...I think every Malaysian who thinks Malaysia first is patriotic.
Anwar may have his supporters that are now more vocal than before, as they see an opportunity to do so given the bad shape of BN.
Chinese, Malay, Indians, to me there is no difference.
Anon 3:35am has his right of thought and opinion, but if more and more people thik like him, then there truly is no future for us in this country!
I disagree with anonymous, I live in a neighbourhood where house prices are around RM750k. 60% of the owners are Malay and the balance owned by Malaysian Indian and Malaysian Chinese. I am not saying that the Malay are richer, just there are more Malay living in the Ampang area. If you go to PJ or Bkt. Bintang, generally more Malaysian Chinese. At Ampang Point of Great Eastern Mall, generaly more Malays.
It is undeniable that the wealth today is with Malays. It is just NOT distributed fairly. You have Ultra-Rich Malays (those who are 'connected') and the rest.
It is the rest that is not getting any help that voted for the opposition as the rulling Government has failed to make NEP a success.
Additionally, today I have friends who speak perfect Tamil classified as Malay Bumiputra; Pakistanis as Malay Bumiputra; Indonesian as Malay Bumiputra etc. Again, a failure of UMNO to protect Bumiputras.
Why should we support a failed organization called UMNO?
muststopthis.We know each other.Thanx god u r not Anwar supporter, so do I. I prefer, we stop digging each other grave but working toward better nation & MALAYSIAN.
I would suggest d listed public figure below to accept my opinion if U r really love d 'MALAYSIAN'.Forget about ur EGO and SELFISHNESS but start afresh. Pleaaaaaase!!!!
I actively campaign for d BARISAN RAKYAT for d last GE but now BR has been robbed and gone!!Suddenly PAKATAN RAKYAT appeared. FUNNY.
1 Dr M please be silent.The more U talk, the more mistake U'll make. People now looking at you demerit not merit, so be careful. Pls Doc!
2 Dollah,U didn't get the message aah? From in & outside BN want U to
vacant the seat laa...! Simple.Take ur long honeymoon & don't forget to
bring along Khairy forever. People don't want him anymore.Don't belief U ask Krishamudin.
3 Anwar, forget about PM pose.Don't have to prove anything.People know ur secret agenda..BALAS DENDAM!!!No ending story.U r white Khairy and Khairy is black Anwar.Same species!
4 Hadi Awang.U made d T'ganu voters stick to BN.GE 2004? Last GE,'coz voters reject BN,yet U fail to recapture T'ganu.U r good for nothing.U see Nik Aziz!!! People don't accept ur approach. Bye Hadi!
5 Lim Kit siang! U also have to say sayonara to active politic.U can pass d baton to ur son, Guan Eng. Everybody like d way Guan Eng handle unless u willing to learn fr ur son.Oooop kindly drag Karpal along with U.MALAYSIAN 1st so prove it,sacrifice urself.Guan Eng can really work better without you.I don't hate U, in fact admire U but I've to choose MALAYSIAN 1st as what U always said.
6 to be continued...
Hidup BARISAN RAKYAT!!!!
A level-headed and balanced response to Anonymous: The idea that there is political instability when one race becomes economically poorer than another in a multiracial society is filled with fallacies, especially in today's world.
First, on a matter of human principle (all men & women are created to be treated equal with eual rights), the legalisation of political and economic privileges based on race is something that the world has struggled with in the past, and we know the victors were those who favour humnanity and equal rights (the fall of legitimised racism and white nationalism in South Africa, the failure of Fascism in Germany, etc).
So as a matter of principle and even as a matter of practice, your promotion of superior rights for any race, bet it minority or majority, will actually lead to instability, either from the inside which happened in Msia, or from external forces (which is reflected in the marginalisation of Msia's economic health versus its stronger neighbours - Indonesia, Thailand, Spore etc.
The truth is the winds of change have come to Msia. And it is God's divine will that all unjust laws and corrupt practices will be blown away by new forces of change. Anwar himself may be an opportunist as some people may say, but he is definitey used by God to change Msia for good and transform this country into a model of civilisation. Read your history well with objective eyes before you try to threaten your own citizens with instability.
There is hope in a meritocractic society: as Msians learn to respond to incentives to increase their abilities without crutches or government aid, they will be able to compete globally with the very best. This will lead to a greater pie for everyone, regardless of race, to share. Let us all work for a real future and a vision we can all share and work against the idea that the baker will always be there to cut a bigger slice of pie for some sections of the populace.
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