Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's only son, Mohd Ihsan made his first public speech tonight, addressing more than 300 supporters, who gathered outside the Sungai Buloh prison in a show of protest against the Federal Court’s decision to convict his father.
Ihsan kept the speech short and simple, and extended his gratitude to those who showed up for the nightly vigil.
"This gathering is not only for ayah's (my father's) freedom, but this is for the people's freedom and restore the country's flawed judiciary."
"Thank you everyone for coming tonight," Ihsan said.
Apart from Anwar's children – Nurul Iman and Mohd Ihsan – the gathering was was also attended by Batu MP Chua Tian Chang, Hulu Langat MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid and PKR information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.
Earlier, Chua told the crowd that the nightly vigil will continue every night outside the prison gate.
The PKR vice-president also said that people needed to continue their solidarity until Anwar is released.
"We want the light to overcome darkness."
Popularly known as Tian Chua, he said having experienced prison himself, he believed Anwar would feel a sense of encouragement upon knowing that people gathered to support him.
"I'm confident that prison officers who have access to Anwar will inform him of what we are doing." he said.
Supporters were also heard chanting “Reformasi” and “Hidup Rakyat” as they placed the candles outside the prison.
About 30 prison guards, in riot gear, had been assigned to control the situation.
Meanwhile PKR youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said what they are doing tonight was the smallest sacrifice the people could do for Anwar, after what he had done for Malaysia.
"This is the smallest sacrifice we can do to show our solidarity.
"He has opened the door for a change in the country's political scene," he said, urging youths to play their role by becoming agents of change.
Last night, Anwar's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had said that a vigil will be held every night in front of the prison as a show of solidarity for Anwar.
The vigil was one of three measures taken by PKR – the other two are filing a motion in Parliament to criticise the conduct of the Federal Court judges who presided in Anwar’s second sodomy case, and to hold “hajat” prayers in all PKR branches nationwide on Thursday night.
Yesterday, the Federal Court found Anwar, who is also PKR's de facto leader and Permatang Pauh MP, guilty of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan and upheld the five-year sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal previously. - TMI
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