Anwar's charm offensive vs Hulu Selangor Indians

The tranquility of Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) was shattered when a massive entourage of Pakatan Rakyat top guns roared into town last night to whip up support for the coming Hulu Selangor by-election.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's top priority obviously is to hang on to Pakatan's parliamentary seat in the wake of recent defections which have scorched the party's image.

Vowing to be fair and just, a message specifically directed at the semi-rural constituency's Malay majority, the skilled orator sought to convince them why the needs of the minority Chinese and Indian voters should be met.

"Umno shouts about championing Islam and you must see how passionately they claim in Parliament that they are defending Malay rights and privileges but their behaviour is nothing but what is seen in a circus.

"Bahasa Malaysia is our national language and Islam is the official religion, but we increase gambling licences," mocked Anwar.

"The Chinese say no to gambling yet Umno-BN gives out more licences," he told the 5,000-strong crowd which packed the Kuala Kubu Bharu.

Anwar delivers eulogy

The death of PKR MP Zainal Abidin Ahmad from brain cancer on Thursday night triggered the country's 10th by-election since the 2008 polls.

Anwar apologised to the public on behalf of Zainal Abidin, who was ill since his shock win, for his inability to carry out his duties.

"I had known the late Dr Zainal from my University Malaya days... He was always a champion for a just cause, he knew what to fight for and never once wavered in his stand," he said in his eulogy of the academician politician.

"He was one of the few Umno men back then who did not broadcast the reason for my incarceration.

"I have to apologise because during the time Zainal Abidin was MP, he was in and out of hospital. That is why he could not attend Parliament," he added.

‘This country has two Malaysias'

He then took a swipe at the 1Malaysia slogan, pointing out that the ruling coalition was still race-based despite the campaign.

"Before I was a Jew agent, then they accused me of being a Hindu agent. Why? Because we were sympathetic towards what happened to (A) Kugan (who died in police custody) and we supported the several demands of the Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) movement," he said.

But Islam does not teach discrimination based on skin colour, he added.

"This country has two Malaysias - one for the rich and another for the poor. Look at the Indians, look at how you have all been treated badly, see what happened to Kugan," said the opposition leader pouring scorn on calls for unity by the premier under the ‘1Malaysia' umbrella.

He vowed that if Pakatan seized Putrajaya, all Malaysians will enjoy equal opportunities.

Anwar then sprung a surprise, calling on to the stage former Hindraf leaders T Vasanthakumar and V Ganapathirau.

He told the multi-ethnic crowd at the KKB Mini Stadium that they were two leaders from Hindraf who had decided to remain with PKR and DAP respectively.

This no doubt played to the significant Indian presence in the constituency, a majority of whom were staunch supporters of Hindraf before it was outlawed in 2008.

Pakatan has had a strong record in by-elections, bagging seven out of nine polls over the past couple years.

No quota games please

Other notable leaders present included PKR's Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, the party's deputy president Syed Husin Ali, vice-presidents Azmin Ali and R Sivarasa and Pakatan coordinator Zaid Ibrahim.

Also present were PAS treasurer-general Hatta Ramli, DAP's Lau Weng San, PKR strategist Tian Chua, information chief Lateefah Koya, Selangor executive councillors Elizabeth Wong, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and political cartoonist Zunar.

Besides Anwar, other PKR leaders who had similarly reminded the people to continue their support for Pakatan were Khalid, Azmin, Hatta and Lau.

The ‘Save Malaysia' rally, although planned months back, had been turned into a pre-election campaign as the organisers themselves seemed rather perplexed as prominent guests continue to arrive at the stadium throughout the night.

et after the rally, Tian ( right ) said the from the show of support in Kota Kubu Bharu, the opposition coalition is confident about winning the coming polls but there is no reason for complacency.

Asked whether PKR plans to field an Indian candidate, he said; "We never select a candidate based on ethnicity. It is their 'winability' and credentials that are important."

He rejected the notion that the presence of the ex-Hindraf leaders was an attempt to lure Indian voters, saying that they were invited to speak on their experience during their detention under the Internal Security Act.

"We have do not have the luxury to indulge in this quota game. In PKR, we are concerned about quality, not whether the person is Indian or Malay," said Tian.

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