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Din Merican
Kampung Baru hails Ketuanan Rakyat www.malaysiakini.com
Azreen Madzlan April 15, 2008
Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru once saw Malay nationalists gathered
to fight for independence from the British in 1946.
More than 60 years later, another mass gathering took place at the 99-year-old
club last night when some 20,000 people from all walks of life defied police
ban to welcome Anwars return to active politics following the expiry of his
ban.
And this time around the rallying cry made to awaken the gathered crowd was
not Malay supremacy as in 1946 but instead one which called for peoples
supremacy.
All of you will witness this tonight. We will not talk about Malay supremacy
but the supremacy for all Malaysians, said PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim
to the cheering crowd.
In his fiery one-hour speech, the charismatic Anwar assured the crowd - the
majority of whom were Malays - that while he and his Pakatan Rakyat would
champion for the rights of all Malaysians, they would nevertheless continue to
protect the constitutional rights of the Malays.
At a press conference later, Anwar said that it was time for new politics to
take over this country from the single dominant ideology of UMNO, which only
fought for the Malay rights.
We are here to counter the massive propaganda campaign by UMNO leaders, who
are talking on Malay supremacy.
And giving clear definitive answer in reply of this, to say that what we
want, what we desire for is a new Malaysia is supremacy for all Malaysians. he
said.
Also in the crowd were PKR president and Anwars wife Dr Wan Azizah Ismail,
daughter Nurul Izzah, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, PKR vice president
Azmin Ali and Batu MP Tian Chua.
I owe it to you
At the rally, Anwar also attacked his nemesis, former premier Dr Mahathir
Mohamad and accused him of abuse of power.
Once seen as the heir apparent to long-time leader Mahathir, Anwar was
subsequently convicted on sex and corruption charges and spent six years in
jail, before storming back to prominence in March elections.
He claimed that under his time, the media is free to report anything. He also
claims that under his time, the judges are fair and clean.
Listen Mahathir, the correct-correct-correct lawyer was under your
administration! he said, followed by a huge laugh from the crowd which filled
to the brim of the clubs main gates.
Anwar also managed to elicit a pin-drop silence from the crowd when he
emotionally reminisced his six years in jail and the five-year political ban
that followed. The ban expires today.
When people asked, what do you feel most satisfied after your release from
prison? The judges verdict? No. But its when the people make the decision to
release me.
I owe it to the people. Because of me, some of you were beaten by the Police,
were thrown in jail, lost your jobs (during the reformasi). I owe it to you.
he said to the loud applause from the crowd.
Azizah as prime minister?
Back at the press conference later, Anwar said it was not his priority to
contest in Parliament for now.
He added the priority was to ensure that all the states under Pakatan
government were well administered.
We will see whether theres a possibility of moving in now (to form the
federal government), and promoting a candidate, maybe (Opposition Leader)
Azizah (as the new prime minister) if we can reach a consensus among the
Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
Alternatively we wait until Im able to contest in a by-election, he said.
Anwar also touched on the issue of party-hopping, saying that the Pakatan
Rakyat had received enough support from BN elected representatives from all
over the country. However, he assured that no money was involved in enticing
the party-hopping BN MPs.
And to this, he promised that if Pakatan formed the next federal government,
Sabah will get up to 20 percent of royalties from petroleum and timber for the
development of the state.
Anwar reiterated that Pakatan had already secured the number of MPs but
Pakatan wanted to form a government with a strong majority. However, he said
that any decision made by Pakatan would be done through consensus.
Do we want to become a government with a two-seat or five-seat majority?
Theres also a decision thats got to be agreed upon by Pakatan. My personal
view is we come in strong, at least with a comfortable majority to be able to
initiate changes. We are talking about vast changes. he said.
Speech interrupted
The crowd had started filtering in to the venue since 5pm, fully filling up
every available place in the clubs field by the time Anwar took the stage for
his speech.
This was his first public speech since the Pakatan Rakyat achieved a
remarkable victory in the March 8 general election.
The Police, including the Federal Reserve Unit and Light Strike Force,
patrolled the area but people were allowed to move about freely. There was also
a large foreign media presence, including television crew.
After speaking for an hour, at 10.30pm, the Police came on stage to interrupt
Anwar from finishing his speech on the grounds that he has no police permit to
hold a rally.
The Police have previously said that the gathering was illegal as it has no
police permit.
In response, Anwar said he would show a good example by ending his 60-minute
speech and told the crowd to disperse.
Organisers claimed a crowd of about 40,000 had attended the rally. The crowd
dispersed peacefully by 11.30pm. Many agreeing with Anwar that they had had
witnessed a historic rally that night.
* KP: For video of Speech, please visit Din Merican
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