Anil Netto reports on the reverbrations that were felt at the recent #KL112 ‘People’s Uprising Rally’ and the fillip it has provided the opposition ahead of the general election.
In a run-up to highly anticipated national elections, an estimated 100,000 people supporting the political opposition thronged Merdeka Stadium in the national capital for a rally organisers referred to as a “people’s uprising”.
Signalling a potential shift in government tack, unlike previous rallies where the call had been for reform of election rules and procedures, the event was not suppressed by security officials.
The rally was laden with historical symbolism, with opposition politicians likening their campaign to unseat the ruling United Malays Nasional Organisation (UMNO), which has held power with coalition partners since independence from colonial rule in 1957, to the country’s break from its colonial masters. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim bellowed “Merdeka”, or independence, exactly seven times during the mass gathering.
His rally cries harkened to Malaysia’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman’s seven emotional chants during the official handover ceremony from British rule on 31 August 1957, at the same stadium, which was constructed specially for the announcement of Independence.
Full article in Asia Times Online
About Anil Netto
Anil Netto, the honorary treasurer of Aliran, is constantly amazed at how Aliran miraculously keeps afloat financially. A former accountant, he believes in social justice for all and environmental stewardship.
… the shenanigan Mahathir, should have been invited or better still be there to show how much he loves this country. No, he rather prefers to be at the function of Perkasa where he is kissed or to be cheered by all those still in their slumber … for fighting for the Malays.
Not realising that he is just trying to show he is fighting for the Malays just so that the Malays will protect him for that.
If at all he is fighting for the Malays why are there so many million of Malays still in poverty ?
Especially so when he had every opportunity to help them out of poverty during his 22 years tenure as P.M. when he could have done anything he wanted. So wake up the poor Malays who are still living in poverty when he and his acumen-less son has made millions or billions and above all still getting … oil related contracts … Aren’t there any other Malay in the country ? The aim and the purpose of the NEP (Never Enough Policy) was and is to spread the wealth of the country or at least 30% of the country’s wealth to the millions of poor Malay and not just to his son, who has already got more than his share, millions times over if I might say so, even if he is a Malay . How much more does the shenanigan want for his son ? This is not what NEP is all about !
Now you know why he is hanging on to be the advisor of Petronas at his age and hearth condition …