It is compulsory to attend the Bersih rally tomorrow, declared Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim at a ceramah in Kuala Lumpur last night.

“We must defend our rights. What we are asking for is not allowance or rewards, but our rights as promised in our constitution.

“No compromise. We ask (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) and his entire cabinet, the Election Commission: Don’t rob. Don’t cheat. No fraud in our elections.

NONE “We demand our right to free and fair elections in Malaysia,” Anwar ( right ) told the applauding crowd of about 1,000.

He also slammed parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform chairperson Maximus Ongkili, for making various recommendations in his report but failing to address issues relating to the electoral roll.

“Indelible ink? Sure. But the important thing is who is voting? Phantoms? Humans? Cows?” asked the Permatang Pauh MP.

He cited the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (Mimos) study that showed 42,000 voters not on the National Registration Department’s database as an example.

Anwar also said that a PKR member in his (Anwar’s) constituency who has 123 voters registered at his address, where he has been living for 10 years.

Contrasting views on protests

During his speech at a field near the Sri Labuan public housing flats, Anwar also contrasted the differing views on protests between local pro-Umno ulama and Egyptian firebrand theologian Yusuf Abdullah al-Qaradawi, whom he said he has met.

“These (pro-Umno) ulama said, ‘Don’t go, otherwise there will be fights at Bersih.

NONE “This ulama (Yusuf) said, ‘Come, the youth of Egypt. Rise up! Defend your rights! Fight on!’” said the PKR de facto leader, praising the Egyptian as an ulama who defends freedom.

Anwar said though Yusuf was branded an extremist by the then Egyptian government and media under President Hosni Mubarak, he had been given accolades by three million protesters on Tahrir Square, Cairo, when Hosni’s regime was toppled.

After his speech, Anwar donned a Bersih T-shirt and left the area, shaking hands with supporters as he went.

Outside the venue, many Bersih paraphernalia were sold at an improvised night market, including T-shirts, scarves, nametag holders and caps, along with the usual political videos, stickers and food.

Other speakers were Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, former former Deputy Land and Cooperative Development Minister Dr Tan Kee Kwong, former Information Minister Sheikh Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad and PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, each of whom called on the audience to attend the Bersih rally tomorrow.