Lukewarm response to 'Melayu Bangkit' rally
Hazlan ZakariaPublished: Jun 14, 2010 9:20 AM | Updated: Jun 15, 2010 2:40 AM
Gerakan Tindakan Rakyat (Gertak’s) much-talked-about Melayu Bangkit rally kicked off to a lukewarm response despite the fervour of its organisers and the ruckus it created in the media.
Gerakan Tindakan Rakyat (Gertak’s) much-talked-about Melayu Bangkit rally kicked off to a lukewarm response despite the fervour of its organisers and the ruckus it created in the media.
Only 1,000 people today gathered at the indoor stadium in Kuala Terengganu this morning, far short of the promised 10,000, for the controversial rally intended to unite Malays into a force to be reckoned with, and to defend kedaulatan Melayu.
Most in the crowd remained silent throughout the speeches and failed to respond to the cries of “Allah Hu Akbar” from the organisers who tried to get them to join in.
Originally scheduled for May 13, the rally was postponed to today after massive criticism on its intended date, which fell on the 41st anniversary of the 1969 racial riots, and allegations that such a gathering is racist and may trigger social unrest.
On arrival, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was greeted with a special silat performance and took his place on the stage, which featured his image on the backdrop.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said accompanied Mahathir, who was in his trademark grey suit with a Nehru collar. He was in a good mood, smiling most of the time.
After the silat performance, Mahathir and those assembled were entertained with a poem read by Ibrahim Taib from the Terengganu Orang Hulu theatre group. It depicted the plight and realities of the Malays.
The poem, which began as a satire poking fun at Malay sayings and current events, was read out in the Hulu Terengganu local dialect to the lilting sounds of the traditional Malay serunai (flute).
Among others, it poked fun at the saying that Malays control the world, adding that should Malays control the world, they can build a Village Development and Security Committee in Israel.
The poem also joked that they can appoint former US president George W Bush as a mosque caretaker to sweep away lizard droppings.
Kita boleh letak Bush jadi tok siak
sapu taik cicak dekat masjid
It then moved on to more serious subjects highlighting the plight of the Malays and ended by calling on Malays to rise.
Among those present were some 100 members of Muslim NGO Pekida, in lime-green shirts and headbands with the words ‘No other God but Allah’.
Black-clad silat groups, sporting red headbands, had kept the crowd entertained earlier, backed by a traditional Malay music ensemble.
About 10 uniformed police officers were inside the Terengganu indoor stadium, where the rally was held, while more were stationed outside.
Critics condemned
Gertak founder Razali Idris, the first to speak, lashed out at those who had criticised the rally and questioned Mahathir’s involvement.
Razali ended his speech by asking those assembled to rise up to defend the special rights of Malays and sovereignty of the Malay rulers.
He also said non-Malays should not be afraid because this wave of Malay ‘awakening’ does not involve the use of dangerous weapons, but a paradigm shift to better the lot of the community, while respecting other races.
Among the 45 NGOs allied to Gertak are Pekida, Pewaris, Sahabat Laut Malaysia and Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia Terengganu.
Mahathir then delivered an hour-long keynote address to a somewhat silent audience.
The rally concluded at 11.55am after a short ceremony at which the proceeds of the Fly2Gaza campaign, totaling in excess of RM120,000,was presented to Mahathir as head of the Global Perdana Foundation.
The campaign was aimed at collecting money to fund another aid shipment to Gaza, this time by air.
Only 1,000 people today gathered at the indoor stadium in Kuala Terengganu this morning, far short of the promised 10,000, for the controversial rally intended to unite Malays into a force to be reckoned with, and to defend kedaulatan Melayu.
Most in the crowd remained silent throughout the speeches and failed to respond to the cries of “Allah Hu Akbar” from the organisers who tried to get them to join in.
Originally scheduled for May 13, the rally was postponed to today after massive criticism on its intended date, which fell on the 41st anniversary of the 1969 racial riots, and allegations that such a gathering is racist and may trigger social unrest.
On arrival, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was greeted with a special silat performance and took his place on the stage, which featured his image on the backdrop.Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said accompanied Mahathir, who was in his trademark grey suit with a Nehru collar. He was in a good mood, smiling most of the time.
After the silat performance, Mahathir and those assembled were entertained with a poem read by Ibrahim Taib from the Terengganu Orang Hulu theatre group. It depicted the plight and realities of the Malays.
The poem, which began as a satire poking fun at Malay sayings and current events, was read out in the Hulu Terengganu local dialect to the lilting sounds of the traditional Malay serunai (flute).
Among others, it poked fun at the saying that Malays control the world, adding that should Malays control the world, they can build a Village Development and Security Committee in Israel.
The poem also joked that they can appoint former US president George W Bush as a mosque caretaker to sweep away lizard droppings.
Kita boleh letak Bush jadi tok siak
sapu taik cicak dekat masjid
It then moved on to more serious subjects highlighting the plight of the Malays and ended by calling on Malays to rise.
Among those present were some 100 members of Muslim NGO Pekida, in lime-green shirts and headbands with the words ‘No other God but Allah’.Black-clad silat groups, sporting red headbands, had kept the crowd entertained earlier, backed by a traditional Malay music ensemble.
About 10 uniformed police officers were inside the Terengganu indoor stadium, where the rally was held, while more were stationed outside.
Critics condemned
Gertak founder Razali Idris, the first to speak, lashed out at those who had criticised the rally and questioned Mahathir’s involvement.
Razali ended his speech by asking those assembled to rise up to defend the special rights of Malays and sovereignty of the Malay rulers.
He also said non-Malays should not be afraid because this wave of Malay ‘awakening’ does not involve the use of dangerous weapons, but a paradigm shift to better the lot of the community, while respecting other races.
Among the 45 NGOs allied to Gertak are Pekida, Pewaris, Sahabat Laut Malaysia and Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia Terengganu.Mahathir then delivered an hour-long keynote address to a somewhat silent audience.
The rally concluded at 11.55am after a short ceremony at which the proceeds of the Fly2Gaza campaign, totaling in excess of RM120,000,was presented to Mahathir as head of the Global Perdana Foundation.
The campaign was aimed at collecting money to fund another aid shipment to Gaza, this time by air.
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