PKR and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin launched their joint 1 Malaysia Dalam Bahaya (The whole of Malaysia in danger) roadshow last night in Sabak Bernam, a semi-rural Malay majority constituency in the northern tip of Selangor.

PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said the event was held there to enlighten rural and semi-urban people, especially the Malays, about the scandals surrounding 1MDB.

However, the turnout at the Sabak Bernam mini-stadium was tepid, with only about 400 people showing up, barely filling up the venue, which was decked with a custom stage and two big screens showing the speakers.

Nevertheless, the crowd was an enthusiastic one, with those huddled on the grass near the stage responding to banter from the speakers, which included DAP Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim, PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin and PKR vice-president Tian Chua.

The star of the night was Muhyiddin, who regaled the crowd with allegations of corruption hurled at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in relation to 1MDB.

Most of what the speakers, including headliners Muhyiddin, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, said was not new and have been reported by the alternative media.

However, such news has limited reach in the rural areas, where the mainstream media is still the main source of news.

Whether the roadshow will gather momentum or not, as it rolls into the other rural areas, remains to be seen.

'Malays fine without Umno'

During the roadshow Muhyiddin delivered a message for rural Malays who may be hesitant to abandon their allegiance to Umno.

"They told me that I once said that if Umno loses, the Malays will be done for. I replied, that's how it was in the past.

"But a look at Selangor. Umno is not here... but the royal institution, Islam, Bahasa Malaysia and the rights of other races are still protected, and even better than before," the pro-tem president of Umno splinter group Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) said.

Likewise, Muhyiddin said, Kelantan, Penang and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur were doing fine without Umno.

This, he said, meant that the people were ready for a change, and that the only lingering question was whether the opposition could unite to defeat Umno and BN in the next general election.

The 1 Malaysia Dalam Bahaya roadshow's next stop is Malacca, on Sept 25.

The roadshows will also be held in Sabah on Sept 30, Pahang on Oct 2 and in Perak on Oct 15.