Malaysia’s smallest and northern-most state Perlis saw its
largest-ever political rally on Monday night, with some 10,000 people
packing the Pakatan Rakyat’s Black 505 gathering in downtown Kangar to
greet Opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim, PAS deputy chief Mohamad Sabu and a
host of other leaders who had trekked up the country to rally public
support for their fight against electoral cheating in the recently
concluded May 5 ballot.
“We continue with our fight. As I have said, the general election is
not over. We are now exposing one electoral fraud after another,” the
64-year-old Anwar told the roaring crowd.
“We have to make a stand. Enough is enough.”
‘Penipuan’ (Cheating)
Monday’s rally was the first-ever Black 505 gathering held by the
Pakatan in Perlis and the folk here were not disappointed. Many had come
to see for themselves what has been variously described as being “a
social wave”, “a phenomenon”, “a political awakening” overtaking the
country.
The Black 505 rallies – the brainchild of Anwar himself – has drawn
mammoth crowds all over the country. Malaysians of all races have taken
part in these assemblies with gusto, abandoning their customary shyness
to call out voraciously for the resignations of Prime Minister Najib
Razak and the top officials of the Election Commission for allegedly
cheating in the country’s 13th general election.
In Kangar, where the 11th Black 505 rally was held, it was no
different. The crowd’s enthusiasm was obvious despite it being a Monday
night. ”Penipuan” was the the most common response when Malaysia Chronicle asked several members of the audience why they had come to the rally.
“Inilah satu petanda orang Malaysia sudah sampai satu tahap politik yang matang (It is a sign Malaysians have become politically more matured),” was another common response.
Sustaining power, not ego trip but a fight for the very foundation of democracy
As usual, Anwar was mobbed by the crowd who rushed to greet him when
he arrived, reaching out to touch him as he was made his way to the
stage. Like it or not, his popularity and ability to mobilize public
support is undeniable and unprecedented in Malaysian politics.
The success of the Black 505 in Kangar flies in the face of Pakatan’s
critics, namely Umno, its newspapers and related news portals. The
latter, in particular, have been vocal in their criticism that it was a
waste of time, that the rallies were a mere puff for Anwar’s ego but a
drag on public resources and time as well as being a red light for
foreign investors.
Whether or not, they are speaking at the behest of their political
bosses, the Umno-linked media and online portals have claimed that the
Black 505 rallies were ‘not what the Malaysian people want from their
Opposition’.
What do Malaysians want of their Opposition then, if not to fight for
the most basic fundamental – a cleaned-up polls system that would
ensure who got the greatest votes became the government as desired by
the most number of people? Otherwise, how could the Opposition ever
become the government and translate into action the policies they
envisioned and promised the people?
Pakatan leaders, in rebutting the claims against them, point to the
massive crowds that keep coming back for more. They point to the 51% of
the Malaysian people who voted for them but were denied of a Pakatan
federal government due to the electoral fraud, which includes widespread
gerrymandering.
In their speeches, Anwar, Mat Sabu, PKR vice president Tian Chua and
MP for Sungai Petani Johari Abdul all made it clear that Black 505 will
continue until the Election Commission chairman and deputy chairman
stood down and re-elections held in the seats where evidence of fraud
had been found and were the strongest.
Those would be the first essential steps for the people to reclaim
their ownership of the electoral system, which unless is reformed, would
ensure that Umno-BN remained in power in perpetuity, the Pakatan
leaders said.
“Today Kangar, tomorrow Sungei Petani and the day after Kota Bahru and on the 16th Batu Pahat,” Anwar announced.
“And on the 22nd June, a major rally in Kuala Lumpur. Exactly like
this, a peaceful assembly, but larger scale – a national event – to show
Malaysians and the world we will not condone cheating.”
Ada orang nak ‘bunuh’ Zahid: Dr M out to destroy Zahid?
Mat Sabu, who is in the process of completing a post-mortem of his
own party’s performance in the general election, promised transparency
and offered re-elections to Umno-BN in Pakatan-won seats so long as they
showed proof.
“Yes, we hear what Umno is saying about our reps who have been
sworn-in in Penang and Kelantan. Sure, if you (Umno-BN) have proof, show
and you can also request for re-elections,” said Mat Sabu, who together
with Tian received loud applause for their oratorical skills.
Youth activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin aka Chegubard, who heads the Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia, was another popular speaker.
The 35-year-old had the crowd clearly on his side as he rattled
through the list of reasons why Malaysians must stand up to the polls
fraud he claimed had been perpetuated by the Umno -BN..
Chegubard also had the crowd in stitches with his witty remarks and
the way he regained his poise after flubbing a line meant to attack
former premier Mahathir Mohamad.
“Ini bukan kubu Umno, ini kubur Umno (this is not Umno’s fortress but Umno’s grave),” said Chegubard.
He repeated his warning to Home Minister Zahid Hamidi to be careful
of Najib and Mahathir, whom he claimed were out for Zahid’s ‘blood’.
“Zahid, you are actually a leader with charisma but you are being
trapped by Najib and Mahathir,” said Chegubard, referring to the
intensifying infighting in Umno ahead of its internal polls due to be
held later this year.
“Mahathir wants to ‘bunuh’ (destroy) Zahid so that his son can take over,” he added.
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