Strong Support for Anwar Ibrahim continues

Despatches from Permatang Pauh Nr. 6: Strong Support for Anwar Ibrahim continues August 23, 2008 - Din Merican I have just arrived at my hotel on Penang Island, having been caught in a massive traffic jam in Mengkuang Titi, not far from Penanti for 90 minutes. An estimated 30,000 people including a large contingent of supporters from Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak and various parts of Peninsula Malaysia attended a ceramah by Datuk Seri Wan Azizah, PKR/PR Member of Parliament for Gombak YB Azmin Ali and representatives of PAS and DAP. At 11.00pm sharp, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived and took the rostrum a few minutes after as the crowd cheered him on with shouts of “Reformasi, Reformasi, Reformasi” (most appropriate indeed as Permatang Pauh was the place where Anwar launched his reformasi campaign a decade ago). In his speech, Dato Seri Anwar told his audience that this by election was important because Malaysia and the world would be watching. It will be the beginning of what has been a long journey for him, marred by untold hardships that he and his supporters suffered in their pursuit of freedom, democracy and justice. “Our struggle is still far over as we continue to face serious challenges by the Badawi government which has shown itself to be capable of repressive measures to prevent me from representing you all in Parliament and leading our country to a new dawn of hope and robust socio-economic development,” he said. He is not deterred from his mission and all their attempts will fail, if he received their overwhelming support on August 26, 2008. He appealed to them to rise early, pray to God for spiritual guidance, and get to the polls as soon as the polling stations are open. They must turn up in large numbers to vote the candidate who will be best serve their interest. While he has confidence that the outcome will be in his favor, he was not taking anything for granted. There could be a lot of cheating and vote buying and more vicious attacks on his character by people like Khairy Jamaluddin and Najib can be expected through the remaining days of the campaign period. He appealed to his audience to be vigilant. On the reduction of oil and diesel prices announced by the Prime Minister on August 22, he said that this latest move would not help the economy. It is too small and too late. The economy is weak, inflation is rising and corruption rampant. Foreign and local investors know that the Malaysian economy has been mismanaged by the Badawi government and have no confidence in the Prime Minister leadership. Dato Seri Anwar said that once he takes over the government foreign investors including those in the Middle East will return in droves because the Pakatan government is committed to the rule of law and a market economy with social support for the poor and marginalised groups who continue to be ignored by the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional Government. As midnight approached, Dato Seri Anwar reminded the audience that the people of Permatang Pauh will determine the outcome of the by-election on August 26. He was leaving the collective decision to their good judgment and wisdom. If the election was free and fair, there is no doubt that he would be in Parliament as leader of the opposition to face Badawi as the latter presents his budget speech on August 29, 2008. ” I will stare him the face and watch his reaction”, he said. The audience cheered him on. Finally, he reminded them that it is their sacred duty to vote.—Din Merican ...source