Sunday January 13, 2013

Organisers call gathering a milestone

Capacity crowd: Supporters flooding Stadium Merdeka during the rally.

KUALA LUMPUR: Organisers of the Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat considered the gather-ing a milestone towards political changes despite falling short of achieving its one-million mark for the much-touted event.

PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the gathering was a historic landmark for Pakatan Rakyat.

“It marks new indication for us to be allowed to use the venue,” he said to the crowd.

PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang blamed the present state of Malays in the country to Umno’s failure to champion their cause and Islam.

“If Islam is questioned, how is it then to be respected?” he told the crowd.

He said PKR, PAS and DAP might have differing views but they shared a common goal of pursuing justice.

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu thanked the police, stadium management and City Hall for cooperating with rally organisers.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said supporters should view the gathering as “a reality and not a dream” in making a mark in the coming polls.

Former UPKO deputy president Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing warned that Sabah was no longer a ‘fixed deposit’ for Barisan but a deficit in the elections.

Bersih co-chairman Datuk S. Ambiga called on supporters at the gathering to volunteer as election observers in the polls.

Supporters later affirmed a 10-point declaration which among others demanded clean, fair and transparent election.

News

Sunday January 13, 2013

Organisers call gathering a milestone