PETALING JAYA, june 6- PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli believes that public rallies are needed because it is the “only language” that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government understands.
“BN does not respond to intellectual arguments. The same applies to the Elections Commission (EC).
“The only language they understand is the people’s power, which is manifested through the huge rallies,” said Rafizi, in an interview.
Recently, Pakatan Rakyat had embarked on a series of rallies, claiming that BN had cheated its way into winning the recent general election.
Among their contentions were the indelible ink fiasco and the fact that they won 51% of the majority support but failed in their bid to wrest Putrajaya.
Rafizi said past incidents of public gatherings on issues pertaining to human rights abuse and the Internal Security Act (ISA) had shown that BN only responded to public rallies.
“BN knows that they can’t pull off something like that. We don’t give people money or any publicity, yet hundreds of thousands of people participate in our rallies,” he said.
Rafizi added that BN and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak could only ignore the huge rallies at their own peril, as it would alienate young Malaysians from the ruling coalition.
“So we need to continue with the rallies. Only then, Najib and BN will come to their senses.
“(Both) the EC and BN have really underestimated public anger against them,” said Rafizi.
The PKR leader added that the public rallies were also a good way for Malaysians to express their outrage over the fraudulent general election.
Rafizi said that if the anger is left unchecked, it may not bode well for Malaysia as young voters may lose confidence in the nation’s democratic system.
“We have to manage the outcry and it has to be manifested in a healthy manner. Hence, the energy was translated into this huge gatherings,” he said.
Rallies not to overthrow govt
Rafizi, however, said that the rallies were not meant to overthrow the government but was a tool to create awareness among the public on electoral fraud.
“It’s a good way to educate young Malaysians on the electoral process. No doubt we will file petitions in court but we are also approaching the court of public opinion,” he said.
Targeting the EC, Rafizi insisted that the current crop of its commissioners should be replaced with a new team that is mutually agreed by both BN and Pakatan leaders.
He said that it was important for the EC to restore its credibility, or risk losing the people’s faith in the organisation. .
“I personally realise that you don’t have a fair EC, then there is no point going into election. And that is a dangerous mindset for Malaysians to contemplate,” said Rafizi.
He added that if Najib was serious about national reconciliation, the very talk of it must start with the removal of the current EC commissioners.
“Let’s see whether BN is ready to lose more public support just to protect a few individuals who did not do their jobs professionally,” said Rafizi.
Targetting EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, the PKR leader said that the latter is fast becoming a liability to the electoral body.
He claimed Wan Ahmad’s tantrums was even making EC chairman Abdul Aziz Yusof’s life difficult and whatever goodwill left with the EC was fast disappearing.
“In other countries, Wan Ahmad would have been impeached by now. On top of the irregularities in the polls, his conduct itself is very damaging.
“He is becoming nothing more than Umno’s lackey to justify the electoral problems, ” Rafizi said.
