While Malaysians across the land are celebrating the one-year anniversary of the people’s decision to oust the Barisan Nasional government from power for the first time in the country’s history, some of the now-opposition leaders and supporters aren’t quite in the mood for festivities.
Instead of recognizing the impact that the vote had in terms of speaking to the democratic process and will of the people, many from the opposition encouraged their followers to wear black yesterday — and are urged others to do so as well.
Malaysia Baru yang GAGAL #BLACK905 pic.twitter.com/x1v5Kcjy35
— Reset & Reborn (@RebornMalaysia) May 9, 2019
Yes, we’re one year in to the Pakatan Harapan rule, and the guys who were in power for 61 years think that we should all be in political mourning over their collective dissatisfaction of no longer being at the helm.
Senyum pagi ini. 9 Mei 2019.
Nak marah pun tak berguna.Beli tambah nilai, top-up TOL.
Di #Petronas.
Tadi baru lepas lalu TOL #SgBesi.Ingat setahun rejim #PH, dah tak ada tol. Itu yg pakai t-shirt HITAM hari ini. Abang motor tu pun pakai hitam.. pic.twitter.com/H99phKl9fQ
— Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) May 9, 2019
Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan, aka the guy that throws strawberries into his nasi goring, posted a series of tweets to his account, taking a pointed swipe in the as-of-yet unfulfilled PH promises outlined in their general election manifesto.
Isi minyak (dgn baju hitam) di #Petronas 9 Mei 2019 setahun rejim #PH di #Malaysia
Ron95 rm2.08 seliter & Ron97 rm2.80 seliter❗️👎
Dlm ceramah2 mereka sblm #PRU14 minyak turun kpd rm1.50❗️
Sebotol minyak gamat di #Langkawi atau minyak angin di #PortDickson adalah kot yg 1.50⁉️ pic.twitter.com/abGb3uJL1O
— DS Dr Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) May 9, 2019
Remember that time they promised all of us toll-free roads? Yeah – probably not the best pledge to make when you consider how all these fancy expressways need to be maintained, but a promise it was.
Maslan certainly hasn’t forgotten, and took the time to tweet a photo of himself reloading his toll card, reminding the public of PH’s past promise:
“Smiling this morning. May 9, 2019. It’s pointless being angry. Buying toll top-up.
“At #Petronas. Just used the #SgBesi highway. I thought a year under the #PH regime, there will be no toll. That is why I’m wearing a black T-shirt. Abang motor (bikers) also wore black,” he told his followers.
While we commend his use of hashtags, we’re not sure that picking on the government over their free toll promises is his best use of free time, and change of legislature. Far loftier promises were made – among them the abolition of the Sedition Act, as well as the Anti-Fake News Act, and human rights reforms. You know, things that impact Malaysia’s democratic rule at home, and in the eyes of the world.
Also voicing his commitment to wear black was a former UMNO Youth member, Faisal Ismail Aziz, who encouraged his followers to do the same:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxPBzbpHeTl/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1ce52i5x41a37
“Let us all wear black shirts on May 9 as a sign of protest and criticism on Hari Hitam Malaysia, the day Malaysia started deteriorating under the Pakatan government, which has damaged the economy, the rakyat, Islam religion in this country…,” he wrote.
Strong words, but ones that are thin on substance: Yesterday, the government pointed out that 270,000 new jobs had been created under their rule, and there is no evidence to suggest that any affront to religion has been made.
Everyone’s favorite carrot Lokman Noor Adam also encouraged his supporters to wear black, and was spotted at KL’s Mid Valley Shopping Mall, surrounded by a throng of ink-color clad supporters.
Luckily, netziens were quick to point out that while it may be a somber day for those who were once in power, it’s still a day to celebrate for most Malaysians – tolls and all.
