The ‘Kita Lawan’ catch phrase is so effective that even Umno members are adopting the call, says the movement’s secretariat member Akmal Nasir.

The Kita Lawan hashtag and movement originated after PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was sent to jail for sodomy for the second time on Feb 10, prompting an outcry of injustice.

Speaking at the ‘Black 14 Reformasi ke Kita Lawan’ forum yesterday, Akmal said the Kita Lawan tag has become so renowned that even Umno Youth members used it on Monday, at the meeting with their president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“When Umno Youth led by Khairy Jamaluddin hoisted Najib yesterday, there calls of ‘lawan tetap lawan’ were made.

“The use of ‘lawan tetap lawan’ is not just exclusive to us (opposition), but  we maintain it for the freedom of Anwar and ask Najib to step down,” Akmal ( left ), who is also PKR Youth strategist, told the forum yesterday.

Some at the Umno Youth meeting were heard saying ‘Kita Lawan’ before the group started chanting ‘lawan tetap lawan’ - a PKR clarion call originating from a speech Anwar gave in 1998, soon before he was sacked as deputy prime minister.

Panellists at the forum at @Kini in Petaling Jaya last night included Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) activist Michelle Yesudas, The Malaysian Insider editor Amin Iskandar and Anwar’s secretary when he was opposition leader, Malek Husin.

Rosmah’s antics

Akmal said it was impossible to pinpoint the origin of the now popular Twitter hashtag or who is leading the movement because it comprises many people from all walks of life.

“A lot of people have asked who the Kita Lawan organisers are, but even for me it is a tough question as there is no fixed secretariat. It is made up of many people, including politicians, activists, students and young people,” he said.

Akmal said many were driven to participate in the Kita Lawan events not only for Anwar but also because the people were sick of this “cruel” BN regime.

“The reason why so many young people have gathered for Kita Lawan because we feel there is a cruel element in the government.

“Kita Lawan is not just fighting politically, but according to the law to make sure the right of every Malaysian is preserved. Young people have lost faith in the country’s current leadership,” Akmal added.

Among Kita Lawan’s demands is for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, and curiously, his wife Rosmah Mansor.

Another speaker, Malek Husin, believes that while people are generally unhappy with the government, it is Rosmah’s actions that incite them to take to the streets.

“Before (during Reformasi in 1998), the issue was with the prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad), not with his wife. Now people are not so angry with this prime minister, but more so with the antics of his wife,” Malek said.

Michelle ( right ) said frustration is also led by the feeling that democratic space in the country is shrinking by the day.

“There is a feeling that we are constantly monitored. This is a democracy and we should have our opinions. We should have the space to agree and disagree,” she added.