901′s many faces

Monday's peaceful assembly at the Duta Courts will see a motley of group of people some of whom will use the avenue to voice out against the many issues plaguing the nation.

PETALING JAYA:  It a commonly held believe that Malaysia’s favourite past time is food and eating.  But here’s a new addon – Malaysians are also attending demos and rallies.

Why? Because these people have ‘seen the light’ so to speak. There are many labels for this ‘enlightenment’. Some call it an ‘awakening’, while others label it ‘reformasi’ or ‘liberation’.

But I think there is a very different reason for this.

After being brow beaten for 50 years they just want to let off steam. They want to take to the streets in their T-shirts (yellow optional) , bandanas on their head, placards in their hands and all in the name of giving the authorities the finger sign.

Off course, amongst the protestors or supporters, there will be those who genuinely  believe in their cause. Others are like rebels without a cause. And yet some are there simply to acquire the bragging rights to say ‘been there, done that’.

Opposition coalition member PKR has issued a call for Malaysians to gather in front of the Duta Courts on Monday, in a peaceful assembly, in support of its de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court is to issue its verdict on Anwar’s Sodomy II case on Monday. Anwar is alleged to have sodomised his male aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan way back in 2008.

For some, it has been a  long and tiring trial with parts of the anatomy gleefully mentioned in the mainstream media and online news portals. Not many would remember the last time words like anal and rectum was so freely bandied about. And most people by now know the meaning of sodomy.

Not one to miss a beat Anwar’s loyal lieutenant, Azmin Ali is cashing in on the publicity.

He’s calling for 100,000 supporters to gather at the courts for Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, on a day dubbed as ’901′.

Yes, we know it is a far-fetched figure. Even the Bersih 2.0 rally could only manage to reach the 50,000 mark.

The ever shrewd politician that he is, Azmin knows that if he had mentioned a figure of 10,000 nobody would have blinked. But 100,000, now that’s a disconcerting figure and it’s got the big boys worried. The police are on alert and the ruling leadership will be personally monitoring the developments.

So, who are the people who are likely to attend the rally? Here, we attempt a breakdown of the categories. (Again not scientifically proven).

Loyalists

The first category represents Anwar’s die-hard fans. Guilty or not , these group have the perception that their ‘Dear Leader’ is god-sent and the tyrannical government is hell bent on sending Anwar to the darkest pits of Hades.

These people would go all out for Anwar no matter what.

There is another group within this category that would just be there in a ‘show’ of solidarity for Anwar. These people would come from PAS, DAP and Pakatan based NGOs.

These groups may not necessarily believe that Anwar is innocent but they would join the rally anyway to support their team member.

Reformists

Another group is the reformists. This group couldn’t care less if Anwar is guilty or not. They are there to show resentment at all the ills that is plaguing the country.

All they need is an avenue and the rallies are their favourite way of showing that they too, should be acknowledged.

Rally Lovers

And the final group is the people who love rallies, come what may. Tear-gas, water cannon and batons? For this group, it’s simply a case of “Just bringing it on, brother’.

Now, which group are you in?