More than 100,000 people overflowed Stadium Merdeka for Pakatan Rakyat's Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat yesterday, making the rally Malaysia's most memorable for many years to come and a turning point for the country's socio-politics.
The rally, to conclude the coalition's three-month nationwide roadshow, had all what the organisers hoped for, but most significantly it was a mammoth multiracial crowd and had a peaceful ending. This is largely attributed to the police's decision this time to remain as facilitators to ensure no repeat of previous rallies.
Filled to the brim including on the field with tens of crowd unable to make way into the venue, the historic Stadium Merdeka again thundered with with seven shouts of Merdeka led by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, reliving the 1957 declaration of independence by first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.
The crowd was treated to speeches by top PR leaders, and a 10-point demand was then proclaimed by PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution, an invocation by PAS Murshidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, before concluding with the call for the Asar prayer and the national anthem Negaraku.
Among the demands, PR wants the government ensure 13th general election to be free and fair, to save Felda amid allegations of settlers being shortchanged, and restore rights of Sabah and Sarawak.
They also demand the Federal government return 20 percent oil royalties for oil-producing states and improve plight of civil servants including teachers and security forces.
Other demands touch on healthy living environment, the national language and other mother tongues, political prisoners, heritage and women.
Addressing the crowd, PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang expressed confidence that PR would be able to fulfill all its promises, and pinpointed the reason behind the current state of affairs.
“Don't blame your mothers, but (blame it) on wrong choice in the ballot papers,” he quipped.
Anwar said the rally was the clearest sign that people had awakened, and pledged to fulfil the coalition's demands.
"Under our administration, we will not allow theft and corruption,” he said.
While DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng said it was time to renew the spirit of independence.
"We need a new independence, not from colonialism, but from poverty," said the Penang chief minister.
-Harakahdaily
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