Kuala Lumpur, Jan 12 – At the Himpunan rally held today at the historic Merdeka stadium attended by more than 100,000 people Opposition leader and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim took the centre stage at about 4 pm and delivered his speech with shouts of Merdeka.
Recalling all the promises offered by Pakatan, including the abolition of National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) and the reduction of petrol prices, he appealed to the people to give the opposition coalition the opportunity to lead the government.
“We ask for the chance (to rule the nation), so that the people’s voice will become the sacred voice in ruling this country. Suara rakyat, suara keramat (people’s voice is the sacred voice),” said Anwar, stressing that Pakatan will listen to all the wishes of the people.
Anwar also mentioned that Pakatan would support the multiple-stream education system if it captured Putrajaya.
Citing the Mandarin language as an example, he says Mandarin is not only the language for the Chinese ethnic group, but also an important economic language in this globalised world.
The charismatic leader also raised the controversial deals involving Boustead-Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), businessperson Deepak and Selangor Wanita Umno chief Raja Ropiaah Raja Abdullah.
He said that the Selangor state government will never allow the land involved in the deals to be developed.
“I told Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim… that Pakatan Rakyat will not allow the robbed land to be developed.”
Anwar mocked Umno delegates for shedding tears at their general assembly last year over a song lamenting the supposed oppression of the Malays.
Singing the song about Malays losing their property, Anwar declares, “Malays lost their land because you (Umno) stole them!”
“Who stole the Malay reserve lands? Who stole the cows?” he continued as the crowd shouted “Umno!”
Emulating the father of independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman, who called out “Merdeka” seven times during the country’s independence declaration, Anwar led the stadium in the same ritual, calling out “Merdeka!” seven times as the crowd responded “Rakyat!”
“Like how our forefathers called out, we repeat that oath and this time shall achieve true independence of the people,” he said.
