PKR supporters dance in the middle of a sea of humanity to the beat of Indian drums
1215: And then, the heavens open, drenching the high-spirited crowds. “Hujan keramat (showers of blessings)!,” shouts one PKR supporter, looking up into the sky, as FRU personnel lining the road look on, blankly. I count 13 police trucks on my way out after dashing for shelter under one of the many stalls along the main road. Among those spotted in the crowd by others are Raja Petra, Rais Yatim, and Ezam.
1145: It’s a three-corned fight, with the third candidate coming from Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim), which is said to be a Pas splinter group, set to play a spoiler’s role. All objections have been rejected. A huge roar erupts when Anwar’s name is announced. The Indian drumming group and dancers are now back in action livening up the atmosphere further. Thunder rolls in the sky as if to accompany the beat. It is threatening to rain.
Earlier, the Pakatan crowd were chanting “Al-tan-tu-ya!” in the open field at the BN supporters.
A PKR Chinese drumming group also performed as an appreciative, largely Malay crowd snapped photos.
Blog reader Muhammad Firdaus Christopher comments:
Syukur Alhamdulillah, Datuk Seri has started his journey towards being our 6th Prime Minister and the show begins tonight. For the record, I was there since 7.00am until about 11.45am and Masya Allah, I have never seen ever the thunderous and huge supporters of Pakatan Rakyat (PKR, DAP, PAS) bestowing in Penanti/ Permatang Pauh. I strongly believe and estimate the crowd of supporters ranging between 90,000 – 110,000. I am speechless…
Love live DSAI and lets us all work extra hard to ensure that his first step into Parliament happens on the 26th August when we cast our votes.
1100: My researcher friend has revised his estimate of the Pakatan crowd to 70,000 – and I tend to agree with him, more or less. But another PKR supporter says it exceeds 100,000 as there are still a lot of people further away.
Anwar has received three or four objections to his candidacy from the BN side, while PKR has not filed any objections against the BN’s Arif Shah.
On the BN side of the field nearby, Umno supporters have unfurled a banner: “Jangan pandang belakang” – a none-too-subtle innuendo.
A senior PKR woman party official from KL tells me that 20 buses of PKR supporters have come from Bangsar while a dozen have come from Cheras. A Sabahan, for his part, says about 100 Sabahans are also here “to learn” from what is going on.
One Permatang Pauh voter predicts Anwar will win with a 15,000-majority but the woman PKR official says it doesn’t matter what his majority is as long as he is back in Parliament.
1030: The sun is blazing down and it is getting hot – in more ways than one. BN supporters are being given a “hot” reception. PKR supporters are lining their paths, jeering vociferously and taunting them by waving one ringgit and ten ringgit notes in front of them. The loudest jeers are reserved for dark or black cars that may be carrying high-ranking BN officials. Police are keeping a watchful eye while riot police have separated supporters with partitions in the field further away.
“It’s like a festival,” says an elderly Indian gentleman, though the BN supporters can’t be enjoying it too much. In fact, it must be rather intimidating for them to walk through such a crowd.
Malay PKR supporters are chanting Makkal Sakthi whenever they spot Indian Pakatan supporters. They respond with broad grins.
0955: A PKR supporter, seeing me on the laptop, walks up to me and asks me for my estimate of the crowd size.
I tell him I have been getting reports that it is around 30,000 to 50,000, some saying even 100,000 and over.
“Impossible,” he responds, “it is much bigger than that. My friend is still stuck 3.5km away in traffic trying to get here.”
I ask him for his estimate of the crowd size.
“That’s not for me to say. I just want you to be fair and give a realistic figure.”
I press him again for his estimate.
“250,000,” he responds.
Earlier, a Pas supporter next to me put the figure at 50,000.
Who can tell for sure? I wish I was in one of those helicopters above.
Blog reader Frankie sends us this report:
Early this morning, at 7.00 am, I can see the police helicopter flying throughout the area of Permatang Pauh and I can already sense this is going to be a different peaceful morning that Permatang Pauh is used to. Come 7.50 am, I drove out heading to the Seberang Jaya roundabout, I can see PKR and Pas supporters heading to the BKE expressway. I did see a bus ferrying PAS supporters stopping over at Subbaidah nasi kandar for breakfast before proceeding and I can see all the traffic lights surrounding area have standby traffic cops.
Hold on to your seat, it is showtime.
0905: Now let’s talk about the crowd size. A researcher friend of mine who has positioned himself in the BN side of the field nearby estimates that the BN supporters do not exceed 5,000. “There’s still a lot of space in the field here,” he tells me. “I can even run the 100 metres here!”
He adds that the slogan chanting, led by Puteri Umno, has become rather personal. “Liwat tetap liwat!” they chant and “Anwar kaki buntut!”
Over at the Pakatan side, the researcher tells me the crowd is probably in the range of 30,000, though some PKR supporters are estimating 100,000 to 150,000. The truth is no one can say for sure as the area is chocker-block with people.
0855: A sea of people with Pakatan flags and banners continue to overwhelm the crowd of a few thousand BN supporters. I bump into bloggers Haris Ibrahim and Zorro and they are in high spirits. I ask Haris for his estimate of the crowd. “”It’s unbelievable,” says Haris. “I dare not even estimate the size of the crowd.”
In fact, the crowds are flowing in from all directions. Two police helicopters are now circling overhead surveying the crowds below – so that tells you something.
Earlier, Pakatan bystanders were teasing the BN crowd walking in and mocking them. As a group of BN women walked by under a BN banner with pictures of Abdullah and Najib, someone from the roadside greeted them: “Selamat pagi, datin-datin hadhari.” Another taunts them, “How much did they pay you to attend this?”
0815: Greetings from near the Nomination Day centre here at Institut Maktab Perguruan Tengku Bainun in Penanti, where there’s a huge crowd of PKR supporters along the Penanti exit of the Butterworth-Kulim expressway.
It’s a festive atmosphere here – notwithstanding half a dozen FRU trucks on standby and a police chopper clattering overhead.
Indian PKR supporters are dancing on the road leading to the nomination accompanied by drummers.
Other PKR supporters have removed a banner from a flyover, purportedly put up by Pas supporters urging Pas to boycott the by-election. “These are dirty tricks,” a PKR supporter muttered as he took down the banner.
About a dozen Indian women clad in beige saris, donning BN caps, make their way among the throng of PKR supporters.
DAP supporters are also making their presence felt with rocket flags in evidence here and there.
I spot PKR’s Gobalakrishnan wearing an Anwar mask. These Anwar masks are selling like hot cakes.
But BN supporters are conspicuous by their absence. Where exactly are they? Let me go and look for them!
Related posts:
Channel News Asia video clip is biased. It only shows the BN crowd and flags. It switches off when the camera was about to show the PR crowd and supporters.
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Hope that all the Private Firms and Manufacturing companies in Penang, Perak, Kedah etc allow half a day or a day’s leave for their Permatang Pauh voters to cast a vote on the Voting Day.
You are doing this BEAUTIFUL NATION a GREAT SERVICE.
The Future GENERATIONS of this country will be grateful to you forever.
Let’s send all the EVIL Corrupts of BN and UltaManNo to Hell.
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Hi Anil,
Mana PM??? not importent kah this by-election?
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“Happy days are here again” BN supporters are too ashamed to show up.
The son of Permatang Puah has returned! A win is a win…Justice will trample over evil.
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LONG LIVE ANWAR IBRAHIM,,,he WILL DEFINEITELY WIN THE BY-ELECTION BY THRASHING ARIF SHAH. WE PRAY THAT ANWAR WINS AND A NEW DAWN FOR MALAYSIA BEGINS!!!!!
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DSAI….you are only hope for Malaysia….
We here pray for NO Cheating…by Stupid BN
Your Chinese Supporter….Cheers
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Just reach home in Butterworth.If the crowd were to be of any indication, I believe it’s because of MAKKAL SAKHTI(PEOPLE POWER) who are yearning for a reformation of MALAYSIA.They want a change in present government which had cause their livelihood to deteriorate due to vast practice of corruption.Many Malaysian were praying and hoping that ANWAR IBRAHIM and other leaders will bring Malaysia towards the glorious path.
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[...] —> Anil Netto [...]
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The people want a new Malaysia! Anwar has given the people hope for an end to the corrupt BN regime. Let us take this huge crowd size for PR as an indicator of overwhelming victory for Anwar. Nothing can stop Anwar now!
A new Malaysia ! A new Malaysia !
The hands of the masses untied
A new Malaysia ! A new Malaysia !
We face the world together
And no race is left behind.
Wiping out corruption
That has bled the country dry
Repair our damaged institutions
And bid the tyrants goodbye.
A new Malaysia ! A new Malaysia !
The rakyat’s battle song
A new Malaysia ! A new Malaysia !
The voice of the people
Rings out loud and long.
(inspired by Evita)
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From Jakarta to PKR and DSAI please lead Malaysia to a new political front clean and friendly government. Indonesian are with you together towards change from corrupted era to new bi reform nations
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yes!!! permatang paus voter, the future of malaysia lies in your hand!
be brave and i believe in you!!!
hidup DSAI! hidup PR!
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just back from the nomination centre. It was a boost to see the huge crowd of PKR supporters….Indians , malays ,chinese all in the same PKR shirtss…flags etc…
Unlike BN ….umno,mic,mca and the ipp fellows in their pitiful red shirts…….SO RACIST and SPLIT into different races/groups ,trying to show they are unite…..Puuuuiiiii !!!!
Selangor MB was given a rousing welcome…..
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Anil,
juz wondering, there got wi-fi coverage? Or you using your own wireless broadband service? If there is wi-fi available there, then this coming voting day will be nice for bloggers…but if there isn’t…
then I have to start looking for someone with maxis/celcom broadband service to pinjam use for a day…hohoho.
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wow
MAKKAL SAKTHI – u see Indian if united the others also will follows.
Puteri warlords – since when the became prince? – The JIHAD lady never teach the PUTERI WARLORDS manners.(ANYWAY THEY HAVE NO MANNERS SINCE … HIJACK FROM JIHAD TO $)
Put back ANWAR TO PUTERA JAYA- since PKR alots of INDIAN MP and YB around.(but keep a close watch on corruption MR.ANIL – THE CORRUPT BUSTER)
rajraman – hope i have a heli to loan u anil.I only have my favourite classic BMW.Penang Plate.
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Halo Malaysian;
WE THE CITIZEN OF SINGAPORE CONGRAT DSAI FOR THE BEST SUPPORT AND CROWD HE RECVD IN PERMATANG PAUH.!!!KEEP IT UP MALAYSIANNNNN.
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The EC has certainly committed a disgusting partisan act by putting polling day on a working day. Making a round trip back from the work place to vote is just too impractical.
But despite this, voter turnout can be encouraged by telling voters to VOTE FIRST before going to work. Factories and companies must accept late arrivals without penalty on Aug 26 for their staff and workers. Bus Kilang from Permatang Pauh should be re-scheduled.
Anil, please spread the word around.
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Fabulous report from ground zero, Anil! Thanks very much for giving folks like me a taste of the excitement around Anwar’s re-entry into formal politics when he becomes Opposition Leader. That should inspire lots of scaredy-cats to turn into nation-saving frogs! Come on, you holdbacks from MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP – and all our friends over in Sabah and Sarawak – SEIZE THE DAY! IT’S NOW OR NEVER… UMNO/BN CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE AS THE GOVERNMENT!!!
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Anil,
Thanks so much for the updates.
There are many like me here in Kuala Lumpur who are eagar to be up there with you guys.
So your “live updates” really really helps for us to participate in spirit.
In fact, you bloggers should set up a fund so we can contribute to help offset some of the expenses you guys have to spend on your activities.
Thanks again.
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I am a voter in Seberang Jaya, a Chinese-speaking Bangsa Malaysia. Our community stands firmly behind DSAI for Parliament, just like in all the previous GEs, when we voted for Wan Azizah. Arif Shah has already got a state seat and should be contended. We shall not give him the Parliament this time. Being a small timer he is just not cut out for Parliament (we don’t give a damn if he can speak Hokkien in KL). Rest assured Anwar will receive our Chinese votes.
For a new dawn on 26/8/08!
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it’s funny how the mainstream papers are DEATHLY SILENT about the show of support …
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Congrats Anwar Ibrahim! Congrats Pakatan Rakyat!Even TDM also mentioned that Arif Shah can’t win DSAI!! Thats the fact proven since 1985. I hope my uncle, Guan Eng can help bust more dirty BN tactics in Penang and Selangor regarding this by-election. Lets the BN ashamed of themselves. Lets send the Altantuya murderers to rot in hell!!!No holes….oops(holds) barred. “It sounds like i may win, it smells like i may win, but it may not be me who win(as my opponents have more Malaysians support)…..i am gonna cry if i lost the election…..”BN.
BN’s common typo error
1)”Liwat tetap liwat” by BN should be changed to “(saya)lewat tetap lewat”
2) “…”Bodohwi tetap Bodohwi” and “BN boleh terus tidur kerana duit dah haus!!!”
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DSAI, all the best of luck from Vietnam. Vietnam is behind you. May Malaysia truly experience true democracy
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[...] 3. Anil Netto -Nightmare for BN? & LIVE: Vast PKR multitude overwhelms BN crowd [...]
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Looking at the pics of PKR supporters, the BN\UMNOputras would have got an inkling of what to expect come 26th August 2008.
Best of the best to you DSAI in your quest which I hope you WILL succeed with the BLESSINGS of the ALL MIGHTY.
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ANWAR, ARE YOU A VISIONARY LEADER???
DSAI, Are you someone with a vision burning inside that seeks to manifest? Do you see yourself as a visionary?
Visionary leaders are the builders of a new dawn, working with imagination, insight, and boldness. They present a challenge that calls forth the best in people and brings them together around a shared sense of purpose. They work with the power of intentionality and alignment with a higher purpose. Their eyes are on the horizon, not just on the near at hand. They are social innovators and change agents, seeing the big picture and thinking strategically.
What is it that makes a visionary become a visionary leader? A visionary may dream wonderful visions of the future and articulate them with great inspiration. A visionary is good with words. But a visionary leader is good with actions as well as words, and so can bring his vision into being in the world, thus transforming it in some way. More than words are needed for a vision to take form in today’s world. It requires leadership and heartfelt commitment.
There is a profound interconnectedness between the leader and the whole, and true visionary leaders serve the good of the whole. They recognize that there is some truth on both sides of most polarized issues in our society today. They search for solutions that transcend the usual adversarial approaches and address the causal level of problems. They find a higher synthesis of the best of both sides of an issue and address the systemic root causes of problems to create real breakthroughs.
A visionary leader is effective in manifesting his or her vision because he creates specific, achievable goals, initiates action and enlists the participation of others.
What are the qualities and abilities of true visionary leaders? What is the mysterious inner process within leaders that enables them to work their magic and radiate the charisma that mobilizes others for a higher purpose?
Visionary leadership is based on a balanced expression of the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical dimensions. It requires core values, clear vision, empowering relationships, and innovative action. When one or more of these dimensions are missing, leadership cannot manifest a vision.
A COMMITMENT TO CORE SPIRITUAL VALUES
A commitment to values is an outstanding characteristic of all visionary leaders. They embody a sense of personal integrity, and radiate a sense of energy, vitality and will. Will is standing in a spiritual state of being. Will is a spiritual attribute, which allows a leader to stand for something.
More self-aware and reflective than others, visionary leaders follow an inner sense of direction, and lead from the inside out, as exemplified by Mahatma Gandhi. He said, “I must first be the change I want to see in my world.” He was a prime example of a commitment to values, as he freed India by appealing to the moral conscience of Britain and using non-violent action to reveal the immorality of the British Empire.
Rather than being corrupted by power, visionary leaders are elevated by power and exercise moral leadership. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, embodies this type of moral leadership, as does Marion Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, who has a deep commitment to children’s welfare.
A CLEAR, INSPIRATIONAL VISION
Visionaries who are successful at manifesting their visions base their leadership on an inspirational, positive picture of the future, as well as a clear sense of direction as to how to get there. Vision is a field that brings energy into form. Effective leaders broadcast a coherent message by themselves embodying their vision, as author Margaret Wheatley notes. They keep communicating the vision to create a strong field which then brings their vision into physical reality. Nelson Mandela clearly held a positive vision of a racially harmonious South Africa during his 28 years in jail and helped bring it into reality peacefully, to the amazement of the world.
The best visionary leaders move energy to a higher level by offering a clear vision of what is possible. They inspire people to be better than they already are and help them identify with what Lincoln called “the angels of their better nature”. This was the power of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. The creative power of lighted, inspired words can sound a certain inner note that people recognize and respond to. This then creates dramatic social change. Like King, visionary leaders have the ability to sense the deeper spiritual needs of followers and link their current demands to these deeper, often unspoken, need for purpose and meaning.
Visionary leaders often have the ability to see higher spiritual forces at work behind the scenes of events, and they align with the vision of these redemptive forces. Both George Washington and Winston Churchill spoke about the help they received from a “guiding hand”. Churchill said, “…we have a guardian because we serve a great cause, and we shall have that guardian as long as we serve that cause faithfully”.
Sojourner Truth, a former slave, was guided by an inner spiritual experience to preach the emancipation of slaves and women’s rights all over the country during the Civil War. President Anwar Sadat of Egypt had a vision of Mohammed who told him to create peace in the Middle East. This vision is the hidden story behind the Camp David Peace Treaty between Arabs and Israelis.
Visionary leaders transmit energy to people, giving them a new sense of hope and confidence in achieving the vision. Television host Oprah Winfrey helps her guests believe in themselves and work to create a better world.
Visionary leaders often enunciate a vision based on principles that become guideposts for humanity. They intuitively draw on the ageless wisdom and present it in a new synthesis to meet the particular need of the times. In the Brundtland Report, Gro Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, helped synthesize the principles of sustainable development that are needed to protect our environment for future generations.
RESPECTFUL, EMPOWERING RELATIONSHIPS
Good relationships are the heart of effective visionary leaders. They embody a deeply caring approach to people, seeing them as their greatest asset. Aaron Feuerstein, CEO of Malden Mills, kept all his employees on the payroll when a fire destroyed 75% of his factories. His employees were so grateful they helped him rebuild and within a year the company was more profitable than ever.
In contrast to the old style of leadership which tells people what to do, and pushes or dominates them, visionary leaders embody a receptive, as well as a dynamic energy. They know how to listen and learn from other points of view and have fine tuned their communications skills. Rita Bailey, Director of Southwest Airline’s University for People, says the secret of the airline’s amazing financial success is living by the golden rule: treating employees as family, with warmth and respect. Employees then treat customers the same way.
Visionary leaders promote a partnership approach and create a shared sense of vision and meaning with others. They exhibit a greater respect for others and carefully develop team spirit and team learning, Building this sense of shared vision and partnership has also been key to the effectiveness of feminist Gloria Steinem.
The most effective visionary leaders are responsive to the real needs of people and they develop participative strategies to include people in designing their own futures. This approach has been very successful for Robert Haas, the CEO of Levi Strauss. Rather than confront or avoid conflict, the new leaders have learned how to transform conflict into usable energy. They work to unite, rather than divide people.
INNOVATIVE, COURAGEOUS ACTION
Visionary leaders are especially noted for transforming old mental maps or paradigms, and creating strategies that are “outside the box” of conventional thought. They embody a balance of right brain (rational) and left brain (intuitive) functions. Their thinking is broad and systemic, seeing the big picture, the whole system, and “the pattern that connects.” They then create innovative strategies for actualizing their vision.
CNN founder Ted Turner transformed television news by boldly creating an around-the-clock international news network.
Visionary leaders anticipate change and are proactive, rather than reactive to events. Their focus is on opportunities, not on problems. They emphasize win/win, rather than adversarial win/lose approaches.
When we see a truly visionary leader accomplishing great things, he is drawing on the resources of their soul and its remarkable capabilities. Each of us can access our inner resources to become a more effective leader in our own field. First we must be willing to take initiative and stand for something we believe in passionately. We must be ready to take the heat. Many of us avoid the responsibility of leadership primarily because we are too sensitive to criticism. But when we know who we truly are and we live from an inner core of values, criticism can be filtered to take in only what is true and helpful to our growth.
Today, as we enter the Third Millennium, thousands of new visionary leaders are emerging in all fields of human endeavor around the world, leading a quiet revolution energized by power of the soul. By appreciating and supporting those who lead from their core spiritual values, we strengthen those leadership qualities in ourselves.
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
Corinne McLaughlin
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