SG SIPUT – Despite the heat and humidity, nearly 3,000 people attended Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s ceramah in Taman Orkid here today.
Locals from all walks of life, including Malays, Chinese, Indians and even Orang Asli waited patiently since noon for the ceramah which was slated to start at 1pm, with PH leaders taking turns to speak before Anwar’s arrival at 2.30pm.
A ceramah was also held at the Taman Orkid morning market location, which is in front of a Barisan Nasional (BN) operations centre and at several other smaller tents erected near the Taman Orkid night market location.
At the start of his speech, Anwar wasted no time in cautioning the crowd about the dangers of supporting BN due to the scandal-ridden administration of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the alleged current failures of caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Anwar then also trained his guns on the BN candidate for Sg Siput, MIC president Tan Sri S. A. Vigneswaran for failing to address the challenges faced by common people.
“Did Tan Sri Vigneswaran or MIC talk about the rising cost of living and the rising cost of goods? Did he speak out against the government on these issues?
“So why do you want to vote for him? Just because he is Indian? … Well, Kesavan is Indian too,’’ said Anwar, referring to Sg Siput incumbent, S. Kesavan, who is from PH.
In Sg Siput, PH’s Kesavan will go up against BN’s Vigneswaran, Datuk Seri G. Irudianathan of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA)’s Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Jaafar and three other independents.
Known for his charismatic speeches, Anwar joked and teased the crowd, often telling them not to wrongly vote for the opposing side.
“Don’t just say yes and agree with what I say today, but come polling day… you pangkah (vote for) MIC.
“If you vote wrongly, jaga kau (beware),” he said in jest to the crowd.
In between engaging in light-hearted banter with the crowd, Anwar often reminded them that PH had remained steadfast and vocal on bread-and-butter issues.
He also chided his opponents in PN, who he claimed often engage in slander and misinformation to smear his character.
More importantly, Anwar said this was the only means that his political opponents could attack him, as they had failed miserably in administering the country.
“Can any of these people go into (all of the) kampung and talk about government policies or the economy? No, they cannot.
“All they can say is that if Anwar takes over, the DAP Chinese will take over.
“Do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I would sell myself out for money to escape imprisonment?
“I still fought on, even after I was released from prison. I have always fought for the rakyat, especially the poor, because I know those who support me are these people, not the Tan Sris or Datuk Seris,” he said.
Throughout his campaign, Anwar has made it clear that he wishes to lead the country and enact progressive change, but stressed that PH requires a convincing majority to do so.
Anwar is contesting the Tambun parliamentary seat and will go up against incumbent Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is also Perak PN chief and former menteri besar.
BN’s Datuk Aminuddin Md Hanafiah and GTA’s Abdul Rahim Tahir are also in the running. – The Vibes, November 14, 2022
