From Malaysiakini
The message rang clear at Pakatan Rakyat’s second convention today in Kepala Batas, Penang: there is no time left to waste in saving the country from the ravages of Umno, and giving the coalition the mandate to take over Putrajaya to restore justice and democracy in Malaysia.
During their speeches, the three main leaders from Pakatan – DAP national secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (second from right), PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (second from left) and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (far right) spoke not only of doom under the present government, but hinted of policies that the nation would enjoy under Pakatan’s rule.
Lim, who is Penang Chief Minister, kicked off the convention by announcing a 100-day programme for the people to enjoy a taste of real reformasi which is possible under Pakatan rule.
The programme is a ten-point resolution that outlined in detail how Pakatan will administer the country for the good of all Malaysians.
Pakatan leaders will sign the document, which is expected to be used as the coalition’s manifesto in the coming general election.
Earlier, Lim warned Umno against hijacking the federal constitution to further split and divide Malaysians.
He said that Umno often cites Article 153 of the federal constitution on the special position of the Malays as justification for their racist approach.
"However, Umno invariably fails to mention that Article 153 also states that the legitimate interests of other communities must also be protected," he added.
‘Article 153 protects all’
Lim, who is DAP national secretary, said it is the responsibility of the Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak as well as the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
About 1,800 people turned up at the one-day event, which is expected to end at about 6pm.
Others leaders present at the convention were Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak and a representative of PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat.
Last night, Anwar along with top Pakatan leaders held a ceramah in Balik Pulau, Penang, as a warm-up to the opposition coalition’s second convention.
Before the convention, party leaders and delegates were entertained by several cultural shows like a silat performance, lion dance and a silamban (South Indian stickfighting).
The event also saw a montage on the performance of the Penang state government, that mesmorised delegates with its soundtrack, P Ramlee’s hit ‘Getaran Jiwa’.
Umno’s relentless progapanda
During her speech, Wan Azizah warned of the continuous attacks on Pakatan by Umno-BN, saying it was clearly meant to create confusion among the people and supporters so that the coalition would collapse.
"They whisper to the Malays that DAP will sell out the interests of the Malays, so that the Malays will be suspicious about the DAP… they whisper to the non-Malays that PAS is against them, so that they will be worried about PAS," she said.
"They tell the whole of Malaysia that PKR and Anwar Ibrahim has problems with Pakatan so as to increase the people’s suspicions," she added.
Wan Azizah said Umno will never tire of its propaganda against Pakatan to split up the coalition. It is time, therefore, that announcements henceforth come from the leaders of the three parties as a sign of unity.
Meanwhile, Hadi said that PAS will continue to be the trustee of Islam as the official religion of the country, but stressed that other religions are to be allowed to practice peacefully.
He added that the confusion about Islam propagated by PAS is caused by inappropriate examples and wrong interpretations spread by Umno, a party he accuses of promoting leaders who are untrustworthy, and who obtain power through corruption and lies.
"In fact in the last convention (in 2008), we have answered all the accusations from our enemies that Pakatan does not understand the constitution and that we will sell out the rakyat," he said.
"The truth is, it is they (Umno) who does not respect parliamentary democracy, especially when they arrogantly suspended our MPs… it is they who brought a bad name to the country in the eyes of the world".
On the coming election, Hadi said Pakatan has yet had the chance to fully implement its policies effectively as the next general election is nigh and BN feels that the people’s support has returned to the ruling alliance.
"We challenge BN to come to the ring in a trusted and sincere manner, instead of depending on government institutions and agencies; instead of riding on the mass media, and making false promises which eventually turn into corruption to the people," he said.
“Lets enter the ring in a democratic manner, instead of clinging on to a democracy that has been destroyed,” he added.
"Kita sasarkan kira-kira 1,000 Pemuda Pakatan akan hadir dalam majlis tersebut yang akan dilancarkan oleh Naib Presiden PAS Salahudin Ayub," katanya ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini pagi ini.
Sementara itu, Suhaizan juga memberitahu jawatankuasa operasi pilihan raya PAS negeri akan mengadakan mesyuarat kali kedua malam ini di Markaz PAS bagi untuk merangka dan melaksanakan gerak kerja pilihan raya di DUN itu.
"Selepas ini kita akan dengar jawapan daripada pemimpin BN yang resah dengan cadangan yang dibuat di konvensyen dengan tuduhan ini hanya angan-angan Pakatan.
