Despite it raining the entire rally, an estimate of about five thousand Malaysians turned out for the Grand Finale Jelajah Mega Pakatan Harapan (PH) here in Kuala Lumpur last night.
The venue, around 12 minutes from Kuala Lumpur City Centre, was where the coalition held its last campaign during the 2018 general elections, which saw the end of Barisan Nasional’s 60-year-old rule.
The location also falls under the Gombak constituency whose incumbent is Mohamed Azmin Ali, one of the key actors who defected from PH and caused its 22-month administration to collapse. The parliamentary seat will see a battle between him and Selangor chief minister Amirudin Shari (PH).
PH comprises three component parties – Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP), and Amanah. For the 15th general election, it has also formed an electoral pact with youth party Muda, led by Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, who was the youth and sports minister during PH’s 22-month administration.
Last night, food vendors lined up on the side of the streets in front of the Keramat AU2 Multipurpose Hall, where the event took place. Children ran around with red balloons given out by the organisers while some sat on their parents’ shoulders.
People thronged to the area with their mobile phones up in the air, capturing moments when chants of ‘Reformasi’, ‘Lawan Tetap Lawan’ and ‘Kita Boleh’ were made by the emcee.
Meanwhile, on stage, PH leaders addressed the crowd and riled them up with speeches about taking down the traitors who caused the downfall of their government in early 2020.
Among those who were mentioned are Azmin, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, former foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah and others.
These men were among those who defected from PH and went on to set up the Perikatan Nasional coalition, which is contesting 169 parliamentary seats in GE15.
Selangor PH’s big finale event was held in Gombak on purpose, according to PH chairman and prime minister candidate, Anwar Ibrahim. He said it was “to teach them a lesson”.
“What type of person, after being elected by the rakyat, would continue to be power-hungry and willing to violate the voters’ will?”
“We’ll expel Azmin from Gombak and let him lose terribly here.”
“Everyone should learn from this and not support a traitor who betrays a mandate,” he urged the crowd.
Amirudin remarked in his speech that the massive crowd of supporters reminded him of a similar turnout in 2018 before the general election.
“Your presence here tonight reminds me that the people have many hopes for the country to improve, to become more stable and just, and to enjoy prosperity.
“Unfortunately, the individual who previously received the mandate does not recall your sacrifices. I want to assure you that, God willing, I promise never to betray your trust,” he said.
It is now the responsibility of those in Gombak to put an end to Azmin’s political career, said PKR information chairman Fahmi Fadzil, who also referred to the Bersatu supreme council member as the largest traitor in the nation while rallying the crowd at the event.
Although the rain came down quite heavily and with thunder, attendees stayed put in the area with high spirits until the end of the rally.
Some took shelter indoors, some bought umbrellas and raincoats, and some remained on a nearby football field to watch the speeches which were televised on a large screen just outside the multipurpose hall.
The rally begin slightly after 9:00 pm and ended at around midnight.
Malaysia’s 21-million-strong electorate, which recently expanded by more than 6 million people following the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18, will elect 222 members of the lower house of parliament in the country’s 15th general election on Saturday (Nov. 19).
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