aaadooi!..hanya berita

Anwar and the Fairuz saga, live from Penanti

20:36
Here we are at the Yayasan Aman in Penanti in a hall which can seat about 250 people.
20:40
Next to me is the blogger from Wartawan Rasmi Laman Reformasi for those of you who prefer coverage in Malay.
http://wrlr.blogspot.com/
20:46
The hall is still empty apart from a handful of people as others are gathered outside waiting for Anwar. From what I understand, today's event is to give Anwar a chance to explain to Penanti residents the current developments and to listen to their views.
20:46
[Comment From Mahalanau Sibu]
Is this something like a 'debate' show
20:47
[Comment From Leong Yook Kong]
PM is scare of buy-election and snap election. Just recall how happy and active he was at the last few buy-elections, especially in PP and KT. He did not bother about the economy and was very busy campaigning at that very time,
20:47
[Comment From rizal]
is fairus coming
20:50
Rizal, a few people were expecting Fairus to show up but a couple of others are saying that he won't show up.
20:50
Rizal, initially a few people were expecting Fairus to turn up, but a couple of others are saying that he won't show up.
20:52
Instead, among the familiar faces here are Penang PKR chief Zahrain Mohammed Hashim, his deputy Dr Mansor Othman, and Penang exco member Abdul Malek Abdul Kasim.
20:54
[Comment From jaz]
too many elections.is pr losing its crediblity?
20:56
[Comment From lis lq]
Fairus should attend the debate if he wants to clear his name.
20:57
[Comment From rizal]
this is bad, anwar has to explain in details
20:57
[Comment From Ammeran]
What is the mood? People is not happy with PKR? Expect swing in the by-election?
20:57
[Comment From RuslanPaip]
No way of losing credibility. It's just a fine tuning.
20:59
People are just trickling in right now. A delegation of Pas members headed by Hamdan, the Permatang Pasir Adun, has arrived.
21:01
The Chinese media journalists are here now.
21:02
The hall is about one third full and the panelists have taken their seats in the front. The moderator is now greeting the crowd.
21:05
Dr Mansor Othman the first to address the crowd of about 100 here as more people enter the hall.
21:06
[Comment From Mahalanau Sibu]
i m sure the people on the side of political divide will take advantage of the issues raised here.
21:07
This is not a rally or ceramah but a meet-the-people session.
21:08
[Comment From MyBlog]
Well its all growing pains for a young party like PKR that has suddenly become significant politically
21:08
Anwar is expected to arrive at around 9.30pm.
21:13
PKR's Lau has just addressed the gathering. It's now the turn of Pas' Hamdan, the Adun for Permatang Pasir.
21:14
Hamdan acknowledges the presence of Lim Boo Chang, among others, in the audience.
21:15
All 250 seats in the hall are almost taken up now.
21:17
Hamdan is pledging to support whoever the Pas/Pakatan leadership chooses as candidate. Hamdan is the Adun of Permatang Pasir, which is next to the Penanti state seat.
21:19
Penang PKR chief Zahrain is next up.
21:22
"Tonight is an important night, because of the developments surrounding Fairus' resignation," he says. He wants to explain to PKR members what's going on and dispel the speculation.
21:25
When journalists ask him why Fairus is resigning, Zahrain says he doesn't know as it was between Fairus and Anwar. He says the people need to respect Fairus' decision. For PKR, no one is indispensable, he adds. "I am confident we will win the by-election," in line with the recent trend.
21:28
[Comment From Leong Yook Kong ]
RPK's sedition trial on 23rd to 24th April 2009. Please show your support to RPK.
21:30
"Don't take it for granted. Victory is important as this is Anwar's area. Pas is with us and DAP will be with us. There must be commitment," stresses Zahrain.
21:30
[Comment From Adi Iskandar Iliyas ]
May the force be with the Rakyat! Keep up the good work Anil!!
21:32
All 250-odd seats have been taken and latecomers now have to stand.
21:35
Zahrain says that Law Choo Kiang will be working in Penanti for the time being. He adds that he respects Fairus for making a difficult decision. This is PKR's way. "Party first, before any individual."
21:37
[Comment From CONCERNED ]
The EC is waiting till Wednesday - for what? They are hoping for Fairus to be successfully 'converted' as a BN friendly ADUN?
21:38
Abdul Malek is addressing the packed hall. And he urges the people to give their full support to the party and Anwar.
21:40
It's standing room only at the back of the hall. Abdul Malek is asking the people to use the experience gained in previous by-elections to counter the mighty BN election machinery.
21:42
He says these by-elections are all part of the road to Putrajaya as he concludes his speech.
21:44
A buzz rises in the hall as Anwar arrives to applause.
21:45
Halim, who is also the Penang State Assembly Speaker, is addressing the crowd now.
21:46
[Comment From lis lq ]
Hope Fairus wont sell his soul to those hungry ghosts!!!!
21:46
[Comment From rajan ]
still doesn't answer the question ? why do this...
21:47
Halim is saying what is happening in Perak will have repercussions for Malaysian democracy and the doctrine of the separation of powers.
21:49
Anwar now takes the floor to address the 350 people in the packed hall.
21:50
[Comment From wandererAus ]
Greetings from Hangzhou! Thanks for bringing then news live. Is UMNO playing the sameoldtrick toget more 'frogs'...
21:52
"The prime ministers keep changing but the people's problems keep increasing," says Anwar, who points out that GMI has highlighted that three people were said to be detained under the ISA just before Najib took over.
21:53
He recalls how NIzar was pressured and labelled a traitor but Anwar refers to him as Bendehara Tun Perak who stuck to his principles.
21:57
He elaborates on the legend of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat and draws parallels to current political developments.
21:57
[Comment From Sue ]
PKR has the morality to ask Fairus to resign but look at Khir Toyo of Selangor still an ADUN despite the PNSB case. Ali Rustam money politics. Shame on UMNO...
21:59
Tun Perak was loyal but upheld the rule of law.
22:01
He now recalls how Arumugam of Bukit Selambau stepped down and stood by his principles and religion of not bowing to corruption.
22:03
Here's a picture of a section of the crowd.
22:04
[Comment From lis lq ]
DSAI,please enlighten us about the problem between you and fairus. Why is he threatening to reveal it all???
22:04

22:07
He talks about rejecting corruption and the importance of forgiveness in line with the teachings of the Qur'an.
22:10
Anwar says Fairus was resigning because of the investigations and Anwar and the party would defend him if he was innocent.
22:11
Referring to the BN scandals, he points out that there have been few major investigations.
22:12
Anwar says he respects Fairus as he could easily have been swayed by all sorts of inducements.
22:13
Fairus wants to clear his name, says Anwar.
22:14
The media cannot be critical of the BN but Najib says the media are free, observes Anwar.
22:16
He recalls how Arumugam and Nizar were maligned in the kampongs of Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang.
22:16
He says Pakatan must be ready to counter such issues here.
22:17
He now tries to counter criticism that a by-election would divert attention away from the economy.
22:17
Photo of Anwar addressing the crowd now
22:17

22:19
Anwar thanks Najib for his concern about the economy; Pakatan too is concerned about the economy. To avoid the wastage, he asks Umno not to put a candidate in the by-election. The crowd erupts in applause and laughter.
22:20
[Comment From wasli ]
why is Fairuz not present for the gathering?
22:21
Anwar expresses appreciation for Fairus' services.
22:22
The crowd is now spilling out of the main entrance of the hall.
22:24
Dispelling criticism that he has foreign funders, he narrates an anecdote of how a humbly-attired old man once thrust an envelope of RM1,000 into his hands to be used for the party's struggle.
22:27
Anwar tells the crowd he had a long discussion with Fairus and respects him for his decision.
22:28
He will be discussing the choice of candidate with the Penang Pakatan leadership tomorrow.
22:28
[Comment From Penangites ]
Don't think what Anwar told about Fairus is 100% true...
22:29
[Comment From K ]
I hope BN wins this time, just to 'screw' with Anwar, an just to teach Lim Guan Eng a lesson. Too much politicking, not much actual governing.
22:30
The Malays in Penang will support Pakatan so that their views and voices will be given consideration.
22:31
[Comment From Din ]
Fairus should take this opportunity to clear his name..
22:32
He said Law Choo Kiang and Abdul Malek will help out in Penanti and assist the Chief Minister for now.
22:34
He is now talking about the candidate for Penanti who will protect the interests of the poor and marginalised of all races. He is confident all will support and help the Pakatan and give new hope to the Malays of Penang with a new approach to reduce the gap between the rich and poor, regardless of race and religion.
22:34
[Comment From dino ]
or will fairus turn independent just like the aduns in Perak when faced with investigation/court.
22:34
[Comment From political observer ]
It is important to look at who is the candidate of both side in the by-election, only elect the one that can work for the nation, not the "No Action Talk Only" or "No Action Corrupt ONly"
22:36
He takes a swipe at the mainstream media like TV1 and TV2, drawing laughter from the crowd.
22:36
[Comment From happysokmo ]
Umno shud stay away fro the election, so that everone can focus on economy
22:37
[Comment From dan ]
I hope PR will win all election until PR takes over the federal government, by then, if PR doesnt perform, we teach them a lesson.
22:40
He concludes asking everyone to be united and prepare for the Penanti by-election. He asks the residents to ask the BN for more goodies and projects for the mosques etc. Don't miss the opportunity, he says tongue in cheek, drawing laughter. Reject fitnah and allegations, stand by party principles, and work for a bigger majority in Penanti, he reminds the people as he ends his speech.
22:41
[Comment From mahtab ]
Fairus is a gentleman. To him party comes before self. He has resigned amicably. There is nothing to disclose about Fairus. Fairus knows best why he is leaving. Thanks for his contribution to the party. Let Dr Mansor be the candidate in Penanti soon. He is highly educated and can become a good DCM. Thanks Fairus and good luck Mansor. PR is the party for all Malaysians.
22:42
Dalbinder, who is here, says Anwar has not answered three questions: the status of the quarry issue, the reason for Fairus' absence, and the identity of the second person in the quarry issue.
22:44
[Comment From political observer ]
If UMNO can present a better candidate than PKR, vote UMNO. If can't, vote PKR. Because Penanti result won't change Penang government.
22:44
[Comment From Penangites ]
basically, sentiments from the ground, too many by- elections did irk the voters, who hardly have enough to survive in day-to-day life due to retrenchment
22:45
[Comment From Sue ]
Congrats DSAI. I thought so, purge all the unbecoming characters in your party. A thing or two I learn during the Obama Campaign is that there must be no drama, work from bottom up and no finger pointing. In think DSAI you should adopt this too.
22:45
[Comment From Din ]
LAWAN TETAP LAWAN..
22:45
[Comment From K ]
With so many problems that PKR has experienced in the short year, and seeing how Anwar handled things, I am not sure how he is different from UMNO.
22:45
That's it folks. Good night from Penanti!