The Malaysian Insight

THE organisers put the turnout at half a million, while authorities say it was only 55,000. To more conservative pollsters, the number was just 25,000.

Whatever the figure, today’s protest against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) marked Pakatan Harapan’s first political setback.

WINNERS

Umno and PAS

Bragging rights will go to these two Malay parties. Both – Umno, in particular – have been on the back foot since May 9, but today’s show of strength cements the view that the all-important Malay vote is still in their back pockets.

This perception will embolden their leaders, even the army of discredited ones in Umno, to become more strident on the national stage.

In the short term, expect the loose Umno-PAS coalition to operate like a pressure group on matters pertaining to race and religion.

In the long term, these two parties will try to mine any discontent in the Malay-Muslim community to get more votes.

Dr Mahathir’s administration

Many were unsure if Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad would walk the talk by allowing the anti-ICERD gathering to go ahead.

In the run-up to the last elections, PH made it clear that it would be more democratic and open to dissenting opinions and protest rallies than Barisan Nasional, which had outlawed a clutch of Bersih 2.0 political gatherings.

But true to their promise, police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall allowed the protest to proceed, and with the aid of PAS volunteer outfit Unit Amal, the rally went ahead smoothly.

A win for freedom of expression and PH.

PAS

The Islamists once again reminded Malaysians that they have superior organisation than other political groups when it comes to mass gatherings.

When hordes turned out for the first four Bersih rallies, PAS members provided solid support. And, it was the same today.

Although the anti-ICERD rally was advertised as an Umno-PAS joint venture, it was quite apparent that more than 90% of attendees were from PAS-related entities. Umno, which has more members on paper, was a pale shadow of its three million members.

No other party has the network, mobilisation and discipline possessed by PAS. Its president, Abdul Hadi Awang, also elicited the loudest cheers when he took to the stage.

LOSERS

PH government

Let’s be honest. Today’s gathering would not have happened if the new government had handled the ICERD issue better, and was able to exude confidence in its ability to deliver on election promises.

The honeymoon period is over for Dr Mahathir and friends. Perhaps sooner than many had expected.

And, the suggestion to rid themselves of loose canons like Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy may not be a bad idea after all.

It was Waytha Moorthy who announced that the PH government would ratify ICERD next year. Today, the rally-goers did not forget that.

They carried banners and placards demanding that he get the sack.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Umno has always touted itself as the biggest party representing Malay-Muslim interests. But judging from the rally, it is nowhere close to the “village party” it once called PAS.

In fact, the absence of the Umno grassroots showed that party president Zahid either lacks clout or the influence to bring out his three million party members.

While he received polite applause, his speech did not inspire. It sounded hopeful at best – hopeful that his plan for an Umno-PAS collaboration could save his ailing party.

Najib Razak and Rosmah Mansor

There was some applause whenever Najib’s name was mentioned during the speeches. But seriously, why were he and his wife even there?

Umno had only three speakers – Zahid, deputy president Mohamad Hasan and Supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman. So, why was the former prime minister even there in the first place?

He merely waved to the crowd and shook a few hands before leaving the stage in a pink plastic poncho. Hadi, on the other hand, left without any rain cover.

If Najib had hoped to gain sympathy after his trail of charges, he might have gone home satisfied that some PAS members applauded him. But that is as far as he would have gotten. – December 8, 2018.