The Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat (People’s Uprising Rally) was aimed at ‘overthrowing’ the ruling government, but in the coming general election, says rally organising chairperson Mohamad Sabu.

“We did indeed want to ‘overthrow’ the government in the coming general election,’ joked the PAS deputy president, who is more popularly known as Mat Sabu.

Mohamad said this at a press conference this morning when responding the accusation of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir claimed that last Saturday’s mega rally at Stadium Merdeka was organised as an attempt to topple the BN government.

He said that Pakatan Rakyat had tried to emulate the revolutions in the Middle East because they knew they cannot win during the next general election.

"So, they are trying to overthrow the government now by emulating Arab countries. But Malaysia is not like those countries.

Balance channeled to warchest

"We don't have a dictatorship. The government is chosen by the people," he said, according to Bernama.

Meanwhile, Mohamad announced that a total of RM268,802.10 was collected during the rally. RM75,000 was paid as rental and RM20,000 was paid as deposit.

He said the balance would be channeled to Tabung Impian Rakyat Malaysia (Tiram), which is Pakatan's official election warchest that was launched last August.

Mohamad said the public can still donate to the fund, which aims to collect RM20 million.

"The fund will be used for (Pakatan's) publicity (effort), welfare and mobilisation to bring democracy to Malaysia," he said.

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