80,000 swarm Stadium Merdeka for bumper rally

Crowds continue arriving outside the already-packed Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, January 12, 2013.—Picture by Boo Su-Lyn

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 ― The “Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat” rally kicked off before 2pm in Stadium Merdeka today, with a Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leader calling it “the most historic gathering” since Merdeka.

PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar thundered the declaration as he started the rounds of speeches inside the iconic venue that was packed to the rafters with over 80,000 people, according to police estimates, all decked in a myriad of colours to represent their respective causes.

“In our 55 years of independence, this is the most historic gathering. In our 55 years of independence, we have traversed very far,” he said to loud cheers.

Police estimated another 5,000 were outside the stadium as the speeches began.

They said the situation was under control and traffic remained smooth despite several marches in the city.

Rally goers fill the field and bleachers of Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, January 12, 2013. — Picture by Md Izwan

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