Opposition leaders made one final lap to promote Bersih 2.0 last night, as they renewed their pledge to be part of the rally despite the risk of arrest.
PKR de-facto chief Anwar Ibrahim repeated the pledge during a ceramah in Taman Jaya, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, stressing that it is part and parcel of their responsibility as leaders.
"To be a leader, you must accept the risks that you are bound to face. If you want things easy, join Umno," he said to a 400-strong crowd.
Though it is understood that the ceramah was aimed at promoting the rally, Anwar was sparse in mentioning Bersih 2.0, instead making indirect references to incidents and statements made in relation to the movement by BN leaders and supporters.
Yellow was hardly seen among the crowd, with Anwar and PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar the only ones seen to be wearing yellow shirts, and there was no obvious police presence.
Speaking for a solid hour, Anwar slammed Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for his apparent flip-flop on the offer for Bersih to hold their rally at a stadium, and for the government's ongoing crackdown on Bersih supporters despite the coalition having called of the street walk.
"(Najib is saying) I have the money, the police, the military... And I have the silat grandmaster," he said snidely, to the crowd's amusement.
Anwar said the only reason the BN-led government has come down hard on the rally for free and fair elections is because they are afraid of the truth.
He said this was the same reaction deposed Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak had prior to being overthrown by a civil uprising that opposed his oppressive regime.
"That is why they (BN) won't even allow a small gathering, because they fear what has happened outside (could happen here). But if you are afraid, it only proves your weaknesses."
Earlier, Mahfuz and Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim also spoke at the ceramah. Like Anwar, Mahfuz made only brief references to Bersih 2.0 while Khalid did not even broach the subject.
All quiet in Gombak
Likewise in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, the situation was calm as 1,000 people turned up to listen to Pakatan Rakyat leaders encouraging public participation in today's rally.
There was also no sign of any Bersih 2.0 paraphernalia at the ceramah in Taman Melewar, nor was there a visible police presence.
In pointing this out, PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan said he himself probably would not have made it to the event if he had been wearing the yellow Bersih 2.0 T-shirt en-route from Kuantan, Pahang, where he lives.
He however stressed that despite the overt police intimidation, the movement's supporters should be "happy and enjoy" taking part in the peaceful rally.
"We don't want to create chaos in the country. Nobody is bringing weapons. Our only weapons are our teeth and tongues," he quipped.
He said he is confident of a good turnout in support of Bersih 2.0, based on claims of a 50 percent jump in traffic on the North-South highway towards Kuala Lumpur last night.
Also speaking at the event was Young Malaysian Solidarity (SAMM) spokesperson and former PKR central leadership council member Badrul Hisham Saharin.
Star speaker and PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu however did not turn up for the event.
It was learnt that he decided against attending the ceramah over concerns that he might be arrested prior to the rally.
Meanwhile, Badrul claimed that as of last night, some 30,000 activists have already made it into the city in preparation for the afternoon rally.
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