As Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim put on their gentleman's hat at Dong Zong's Chinese New Year open house today, their supporters were keen to show who is more popular.
Najib, who was welcomed with a lion dance performance, received a warm reception from the crowd of some 5,000 people present.
Najib, who was welcomed with a lion dance performance, received a warm reception from the crowd of some 5,000 people present.
He was then ushered to do Chinese calligraphy andlou shang,together with the Dong Zong leaders.
The calligraphic words carried the meaning of celebrating the new year together and sat with the crowd for a series of cultural performances, including Chinese music and traditional dances.
Najib's visit was a first in more than 50 years for a prime minister to an open house by Dong Zong, also known as the United Chinese School Committees Association.
During his brief 45-minute visit, Najib also spent time greeting the the people present.
The two political titans did not meet at the event as Najib had arrived 15 minutes earlier than the 10am time his office had stated, while Anwar arrived 20 minutes later than his scheduled time of 11am.
Not to be outdone, Anwar's supporters cheered loudly and chanted 'reformasi' as he made his entrance about an hour after Najib departed.
Some supporters had mischievously amended the "I love PM" banners, which are a common sight at Najib's events.
Armed with a marker pen, they added the words "new" and "Anwar", making the banners they carried read "I love new PM Anwar".
Not to be outdone, Anwar's supporters cheered loudly and chanted 'reformasi' as he made his entrance about an hour after Najib departed.
Some supporters had mischievously amended the "I love PM" banners, which are a common sight at Najib's events.Armed with a marker pen, they added the words "new" and "Anwar", making the banners they carried read "I love new PM Anwar".
The banner, which was distributed at the entrance to the open house venue, was absent during Najib's presence and the amended versions of it only appeared when Anwar arrived.
One such supporter carrying the amended the banner was Jimmy Wong Chee Wai, who was clad in a yellow Bersih T-shirt.
"He (Anwar) should be the next prime minister," Wong said.
‘No speeches by politicians’
Neither Najib nor Anwar gave any speech during the open house but the address of Yap, the Dong Zong chief, was was made when Anwar was present.
"In this new year, everything will change… I hope everyone can support Dong Zong so we that can achieve our objectives," Yap said.
However, he courted some boos from Pakatan supporters when he expressed appreciation for Najib's attendance at the event.
Speaking to the media later, Anwar said he was disappointed that he had not been able to meet Najib at the open house.
Also with Anwar was PKR president and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar.
VIDEO| 2.44 mins
One such supporter carrying the amended the banner was Jimmy Wong Chee Wai, who was clad in a yellow Bersih T-shirt.
"He (Anwar) should be the next prime minister," Wong said.
‘No speeches by politicians’
Neither Najib nor Anwar gave any speech during the open house but the address of Yap, the Dong Zong chief, was was made when Anwar was present.
"In this new year, everything will change… I hope everyone can support Dong Zong so we that can achieve our objectives," Yap said.
However, he courted some boos from Pakatan supporters when he expressed appreciation for Najib's attendance at the event.Speaking to the media later, Anwar said he was disappointed that he had not been able to meet Najib at the open house.
Also with Anwar was PKR president and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar.
VIDEO| 2.44 mins
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