Even without a police permit, former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's ceramah in the Umno stronghold of Kampung Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur drew a massive crowd exceeding 2,500.

The police had on Saturday refused to grant a permit for the gathering, arguing that the organisers failed to obtain permission from the owner of the open car park where the talk was held.

However, the expected showdown between the police and the crowd did not happen when not a single uniformed cop appeared at the venue. The two-hour ceramah , which began at 9pm, proceeded without a hitch.

Billed 'Anwar on current affairs - Dr Mahathir vs Abdullah Ahmad Badawi', the event bordered on an opposition rally, as he gunned down the administration of both personalities with his trademark wit and charisma.

The mainly Malay crowd, with a sprinkling of Chinese, Indians and Punjabis, was squeezed into a small car park between two blocks of flats. They listened attentively for almost an hour, as Anwar condemned the corruption perpetuated by leaders of ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN).

"Umno is not my enemy. It is the robbers and the corrupt leaders that are the enemies of us all," roared Anwar.

Dressed in the colours of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) - of which he is advisor - he took a swipe over one-time mentor and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's difficulty in airing criticism against his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, both in public and through the media.

" Baru awak tahu (Now you know how we felt)...," he said, drawing laughter.

He then turned his attention on Abdullah who, he said, was continuing the policies perpetuated by Mahathir, such as use of the Internal Security Act, mainstream media and other means to curb dissent.

The visit to Kampung Kerinchi was part of Anwar's tour of PKR's frontline states of Sabah, Selangor and Penang. This will culminate in the party's congress in Penang on Sept 1.

PKR, in a statement released today, said it was pleased that the event went off "smoothly and without incident".

"However, we regret that the police have denied the permit for the programme.

As a result, the organiser had to shift the venue twice," it said. "There is no justification for the authorities to restrict or prohibit free expression at public forums and mass assemblies.

"Therefore, Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should instruct the police to respect such rights."

'Right buttons'

Interviewed after the ceramah , a lecturer in a private university said Anwar was a master of his craft in moulding his rhetoric to his audience - such as stating that the New Economic Policy only benefits elite Malays - and singing verses of popular Malay songs.

"He knows where and when to push the right buttons," said the lecturer, noting that Anwar had struck a chord with the lower middle-income crowd when he asked, 'did any of you receive APs (Approved Permits to import cars)?'.

A real estate agent, who wished only to be known as Loh, felt satisfied that several issues had been brought up, such as the stagnating economy and soaring inflation caused by the fuel price hikes.

"His words are not in the newspaper, only here. So we have to hear both sides," said Loh on why he attended the event.

So is Anwar still relevant?

"If he's sincere, why not?" said Loh, from Jalan Kelang Lama.

Businessman Kamarul Zaman ( photo ) said he had attended the event to show support for the Malaysian Indian Muslim Association.

"For the past 30 years, we have tried and failed to join the BN. Young Indian Muslims who want to represent the community can't do so. We hope that maybe Anwar, whose party accepts all groups in Malaysia, might give us a chance," he said.

Kamarul claimed that many Indian Muslim businessmen have been hit hard by current economic conditions, and that their voices are not being heard.

"Today, it is (shortage of) sugar...what next?" he asked.